Communications
Broadband - fixed subscriptions [time series]
total: 269,091 (2019) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4.19 (2019 est.)
Broadcast media [time series]
state-funded public TV broadcaster KTRK has nationwide coverage; also operates Ala-Too 24 news channel which broadcasts 24/7 and 4 other educational, cultural, and sports channels; ELTR and Channel 5 are state-owned stations with national reach; the switchover to digital TV in 2017 resulted in private TV station growth; approximately 20 stations are struggling to increase their own content up to 50% of airtime, as required by law, instead of rebroadcasting primarily programs from Russian channels or airing unlicensed movies and music; 3 Russian TV stations also broadcast; state-funded radio stations and about 10 significant private radio stations also exist (2019)
Internet country code [time series]
.kg
Internet users [time series]
total: 3.32 million (2021 est.) percent of population: 38% (2019 est.)
Telecommunication systems [time series]
general assessment: fixed-line declining as 4G LTE mobile is universally available; brief interruptions of service with security as pretext; ICT sector rocked by allegation of corruption in 2020; digital radio-relay stations and fiber-optic links; 5G in development; importer of broadcasting equipment from UAE and computers from China; Chinese Economic Corridor investment into domestic backbone; World Bank investment into digital infrastructure with aims to provide broadband Internet to 60% of the population; social disparity evident in pandemic as many school children could not attend classes on-line (2020 ) domestic: fixed-line penetration 5 per 100 persons remains low and concentrated in urban areas; mobile-cellular subscribership up to over 134 per 100 persons (2019) international: country code - 996; connections with other CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States, 9 members post-Soviet Republics in EU) 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 - 2 (1 Intersputnik, 1 Intelsat) (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
Telephones - fixed lines [time series]
total subscriptions: 298,855 (2019) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4.66 (2019 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]
total subscriptions: 8,622,565 (2019) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 134.4 (2019 est.)
Economy
Agricultural products [time series]
milk, potatoes, sugar beet, maize, wheat, barley, tomatoes, watermelons, onions, carrots/turnips
Budget [time series]
revenues: 2.169 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 2.409 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]
-3.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Credit ratings [time series]
Moody's rating: B2 (2015) Standard & Poors rating: NR (2016)
Current account balance [time series]
-$306 million (2017 est.) -$792 million (2016 est.)
Debt - external [time series]
$8.372 billion (2019 est.) $8.066 billion (2018 est.)
Economic overview [time series]
Kyrgyzstan is a landlocked, mountainous, lower middle income country with an economy dominated by minerals extraction, agriculture, and reliance on remittances from citizens working abroad. Cotton, wool, and meat are the main agricultural products, although only cotton is exported in any quantity. Other exports include gold, mercury, uranium, natural gas, and - in some years - electricity. The country has sought to attract foreign investment to expand its export base, including construction of hydroelectric dams, but a difficult investment climate and an ongoing legal battle with a Canadian firm over the joint ownership structure of the nation’s largest gold mine deter potential investors. Remittances from Kyrgyz migrant workers, predominantly in Russia and Kazakhstan, are equivalent to more than one-quarter of Kyrgyzstan’s GDP. Following independence, Kyrgyzstan rapidly implemented market reforms, such as improving the regulatory system and instituting land reform. In 1998, Kyrgyzstan was the first Commonwealth of Independent States country to be accepted into the World Trade Organization. The government has privatized much of its ownership shares in public enterprises. Despite these reforms, the country suffered a severe drop in production in the early 1990s and has again faced slow growth in recent years as the global financial crisis and declining oil prices have dampened economies across Central Asia. The Kyrgyz government remains dependent on foreign donor support to finance its annual budget deficit of approximately 3 to 5% of GDP. Kyrgyz leaders hope the country’s August 2015 accession to the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) will bolster trade and investment, but slowing economies in Russia and China and low commodity prices continue to hamper economic growth. Large-scale trade and investment pledged by Kyrgyz leaders has been slow to develop. Many Kyrgyz entrepreneurs and politicians complain that non-tariff measures imposed by other EAEU member states are hurting certain sectors of the Kyrgyz economy, such as meat and dairy production, in which they have comparative advantage. Since acceding to the EAEU, the Kyrgyz Republic has continued harmonizing its laws and regulations to meet EAEU standards, though many local entrepreneurs believe this process as disjointed and incomplete. Kyrgyzstan’s economic development continues to be hampered by corruption, lack of administrative transparency, lack of diversity in domestic industries, and difficulty attracting foreign aid and investment.
Exchange rates [time series]
soms (KGS) per US dollar - 68.35 (2017 est.) 69.914 (2016 est.) 69.914 (2015 est.) 64.462 (2014 est.) 53.654 (2013 est.)
Exports [time series]
$3.11 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2019 est.) $2.73 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2018 est.) $2.352 billion (2017 est.)
Exports - commodities [time series]
gold, precious metals, various beans, refined petroleum, scrap copper (2019)
Exports - partners [time series]
United Kingdom 56%, Kazakhstan 13%, Russia 13%, Uzbekistan 5% (2019)
Fiscal year [time series]
calendar year
GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]
$8.442 billion (2019 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use [time series]
household consumption: 85.4% (2017 est.) government consumption: 18.9% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 33.2% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.8% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 39.7% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -79% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin [time series]
agriculture: 14.6% (2017 est.) industry: 31.2% (2017 est.) services: 54.2% (2017 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income [time series]
27.7 (2018 est.) 29 (2001)
Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]
lowest 10%: 4.4% highest 10%: 22.9% (2014 est.)
Imports [time series]
$5.67 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2019 est.) $5.86 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2018 est.) $4.953 billion (2017 est.)
Imports - commodities [time series]
refined petroleum, footwear, clothing and apparel, broadcasting equipment, walnuts (2019)
Imports - partners [time series]
China 53%, Russia 17%, Kazakhstan 7%, Uzbekistan 7%, Turkey 5% (2019)
Industrial production growth rate [time series]
10.9% (2017 est.)
Industries [time series]
small machinery, textiles, food processing, cement, shoes, lumber, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold, rare earth metals
Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]
1.1% (2019 est.) 1.5% (2018 est.) 3.1% (2017 est.)
Labor force [time series]
2.841 million (2017 est.)
Labor force - by occupation [time series]
agriculture: 48% industry: 12.5% services: 39.5% (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line [time series]
20.1% (2019 est.)
Public debt [time series]
56% of GDP (2017 est.) 55.9% of GDP (2016 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) [time series]
$31.02 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2020 est.) $33.95 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2019 est.) $32.46 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2018 est.) note: data are in 2010 dollars
Real GDP growth rate [time series]
4.6% (2017 est.) 4.3% (2016 est.) 3.9% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita [time series]
$4,700 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2020 est.) $5,300 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2019 est.) $5,100 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2018 est.) note: data are in 2010 dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]
$2.177 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $1.97 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues [time series]
28.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Unemployment rate [time series]
3.18% (2019 est.) 2.59% (2018 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]
total: 9.6% male: 7.8% female: 13.4% (2018 est.)
Energy
Crude oil - exports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil - imports [time series]
4,480 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil - production [time series]
1,000 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]
40 million bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
Electricity - consumption [time series]
10.52 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - exports [time series]
184 million kWh (2015 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]
24% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]
76% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - imports [time series]
331 million kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]
4.046 million kW (2016 est.)
Electricity - production [time series]
13.04 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity access [time series]
electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Natural gas - consumption [time series]
186.9 million cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - exports [time series]
0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - imports [time series]
169.9 million cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - production [time series]
28.32 million cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]
5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]
37,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]
2,290 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]
34,280 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production [time series]
6,996 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Environment
Air pollutants [time series]
particulate matter emissions: 18.12 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 9.79 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 4.47 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate [time series]
dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan Mountains; subtropical in southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone
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; air pollution due to rapid increase of traffic
International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]
party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Land use [time series]
agricultural land: 55.4% (2018 est.) arable land: 6.7% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.4% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 48.3% (2018 est.) forest: 5.1% (2018 est.) other: 39.5% (2018 est.)
Major lakes (area sq km) [time series]
Salt water lake(s): Ozero Issyk-Kul 6,240 sq km note - second largest saline lake after the Caspian Sea; second highest mountain lake after Lake Titicaca; it is an endorheic mountain basin; although surrounded by snow capped mountains it never freezes
Major rivers (by length in km) [time series]
Syr Darya river source (shared with Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan [m] ) - 3,078 km note [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km) [time series]
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Tarim Basin (1,152,448 sq km), (Aral Sea basin) Amu Darya (534,739 sq km), Syr Darya (782,617 sq km)
Revenue from coal [time series]
coal revenues: 0.21% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from forest resources [time series]
forest revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2018 est.)
Total renewable water resources [time series]
23.618 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total water withdrawal [time series]
municipal: 224 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 336 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 7.1 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Urbanization [time series]
urban population: 37.1% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: 2.05% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling [time series]
municipal solid waste generated annually: 1,113,300 tons (2015 est.)
Geography
total: 199,951 sq km land: 191,801 sq km water: 8,150 sq km
Area - comparative [time series]
slightly smaller than South Dakota
Climate [time series]
dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan Mountains; subtropical in southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone
Coastline [time series]
0 km (landlocked)
Elevation [time series]
highest point: Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m lowest point: Kara-Daryya (Karadar'ya) 132 m mean elevation: 2,988 m
Geographic coordinates [time series]
41 00 N, 75 00 E
Geography - note [time series]
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
Irrigated land [time series]
10,233 sq km (2012)
Land boundaries [time series]
total: 4,573 km border countries (4): China 1063 km, Kazakhstan 1212 km, Tajikistan 984 km, Uzbekistan 1314 km
Land use [time series]
agricultural land: 55.4% (2018 est.) arable land: 6.7% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.4% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 48.3% (2018 est.) forest: 5.1% (2018 est.) other: 39.5% (2018 est.)
Location [time series]
Central Asia, west of China, south of Kazakhstan
Major lakes (area sq km) [time series]
Salt water lake(s): Ozero Issyk-Kul 6,240 sq km note - second largest saline lake after the Caspian Sea; second highest mountain lake after Lake Titicaca; it is an endorheic mountain basin; although surrounded by snow capped mountains it never freezes
Major rivers (by length in km) [time series]
Syr Darya river source (shared with Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan [m] ) - 3,078 km note [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km) [time series]
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Tarim Basin (1,152,448 sq km), (Aral Sea basin) Amu Darya (534,739 sq km), Syr Darya (782,617 sq km)
Map references [time series]
Asia
Maritime claims [time series]
none (landlocked)
Natural hazards [time series]
major flooding during snow melt; prone to earthquakes
Natural resources [time series]
abundant hydropower; gold, rare earth metals; locally exploitable coal, oil, and natural gas; other deposits of nepheline, mercury, bismuth, lead, and zinc
Population distribution [time series]
the vast majority of Kyrgyzstanis live in rural areas; densest population settlement is to the north in and around the capital, Bishkek, followed by Osh in the west; the least densely populated area is the east, southeast in the Tien Shan mountains
Terrain [time series]
peaks of the Tien Shan mountain range and associated valleys and basins encompass the entire country
Government
Administrative divisions [time series]
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)
Capital [time series]
name: Bishkek geographic coordinates: 42 52 N, 74 36 E time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: founded in 1868 as a Russian settlement on the site of a previously destroyed fortress named "Pishpek"; the name was retained and overtime became "Bishkek"
Citizenship [time series]
citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Kyrgyzstan dual citizenship recognized: yes, but only if a mutual treaty on dual citizenship is in force residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Constitution [time series]
history: previous 1993; latest adopted by referendum 27 June 2010, effective 2 July 2010; note - constitutional amendments that bolstered some presidential powers and transferred others from the president to the prime minister were passed in late 2017 amendments: proposed as a draft law by the majority of the Supreme Council membership or by petition of 300,000 voters; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Council membership in each of at least three readings of the draft two months apart; the draft may be submitted to a referendum if approved by two thirds of the Council membership; adoption requires the signature of the president; amended 2017, 2021; note - voters approved a constitutional referendum in April 2021 that transitioned Kyrgyzstan from a parliamentary to a presidential system, and implemented changes that allow the president to serve for two five-year terms rather that one six-year term, reduces the number of seats in Kyrgyzstan's legislature from 120 to 90, and establishes a Kurultay - a public advisory council
Country name [time series]
conventional long form: Kyrgyz Republic conventional short form: Kyrgyzstan local long form: Kyrgyz Respublikasy local short form: Kyrgyzstan former: Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic etymology: a combination of the Turkic words "kyrg" (forty) and "-yz" (tribes) with the Persian suffix "-stan" (country) creating the meaning "Land of the Forty Tribes"; the name refers to the 40 clans united by the mythic Kyrgyz hero, Manas
Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Alan MELTZER (July 2021) embassy: 171 Prospect Mira, Bishkek 720016 mailing address: 7040 Bishkek Place, Washington DC 20521-7040 telephone: [996] (312) 597-000 FAX: [996] (312) 597-744 email address and website: ConsularBishkek@state.gov https://kg.usembassy.gov/
Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador Baktybek AMANBAYEV (since 7 July 2021) chancery: 2360 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 449-9822 FAX: [1] (202) 449-8275 email address and website: kgembassy.usa@mfa.gov.kg; kgconsulate.washington@mfa.gov.kg https://mfa.gov.kg/en/dm/-Embassy-of-the-Kyrgyz-Republic-in-the-USA-and-Canada honorary consulate(s): Maple Valley (WA)
Executive branch [time series]
chief of state: President Sadyr JAPAROV (since 28 January 2021) head of government: Prime Minister Sadyr JAPAROV cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 10 January 2021 (next to be held in 2027) election results: Sadyr JAPAROV elected president in first round; percent of vote - Sadyr JAPAROV 79.5%, Adakhan MADUMAROV 6.5%, other 14%
Flag (Flag description) [time series]
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
Government type [time series]
parliamentary republic
Independence [time series]
31 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
International law organization participation [time series]
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
International organization participation [time series]
ADB, CICA, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAEU, 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, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Judicial branch [time series]
highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of 25 judges); Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court (consists of the chairperson, deputy chairperson, and 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
Legal system [time series]
civil law system, which includes features of French civil law and Russian Federation laws
Legislative branch [time series]
description: unicameral Supreme Council or Jogorku Kengesh (90 seats; 54 seats allocated for proportional division among political party lists from the national vote and 36 seats allocated for candidates running in single-mandate constituencies; members serve 5-year terms; parties must receive 5% of the vote to win seats in the legislature) elections: last held on 28 November 2021 (next to be held NA) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA
National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]
name: "Kyrgyz Respublikasynyn Mamlekettik Gimni" (National Anthem of the Kyrgyz Republic) lyrics/music: Djamil SADYKOV and Eshmambet KULUEV/Nasyr DAVLESOV and Kalyi MOLDOBASANOV note: adopted 1992
National holiday [time series]
Independence Day, 31 August (1991)
National symbol(s) [time series]
white falcon; national colors: red, yellow
Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]
Alliance [Mirlan JEENCHOROEV] Ata-Jurt Kyrgyzstan (Homeland) [Aybek MATKERIMOV] Butun Kyrgyzstan (All Kyrgyzstan) [Adakhan MADUMAROV] Ishenim (Trust in Kyrgyz) [Rysbat AMATOV] Yntymak (Unity) [Marlen MAMATALIEV] Yyman Nuru (Light of Faith) [Nurjigit KADYRBEKOV]
Suffrage [time series]
18 years of age; universal
Introduction
Background [time series]
A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions, most of the territory of present-day Kyrgyzstan was formally annexed by the Russian Empire 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 1926 and achieved independence in 1991 when the USSR dissolved. Nationwide demonstrations in 2005 and 2010 resulted in the ouster of the country s first two presidents, Askar AKAEV and Kurmanbek BAKIEV. Interim President Roza OTUNBAEVA led a transitional government and following a nation-wide election, President Almazbek ATAMBAEV was sworn in as president in 2011. In 2017, ATAMBAEV became the first Kyrgyzstani president to step down after serving one full six-year term as required in the country s constitution. Former prime minister and ruling Social-Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan member Sooronbay JEENBEKOV replaced him after winning the 2017 presidential election that was the most competitive in the country s history, although international and local election observers noted cases of vote buying and abuse of public resources. In October 2020, protests against legislative election results spread across Kyrgyzstan, leading to JEENBEKOV s resignation from the presidency, and catapulting previously imprisoned Sadyr JAPAROV to acting president. In January 2021, Kyrgyzstanis formerly elected JAPAROV as president and approved a referendum to move Kyrgyzstan from a parliamentary to a presidential system. In April 2021, Kyrgyzstanis voted in favor of draft constitutional changes that consolidated power in the presidency. Preliminary results from the legislative election in November 2021 suggest that pro-government parties will hold a majority in the Jogorku Kengesh (Kyrgyzstan s legislature). Continuing concerns for Kyrgyzstan include the trajectory of democratization, endemic corruption, a history of tense, and at times violent, interethnic relations, border security vulnerabilities, and potential terrorist threats.
Military and Security
Military - note [time series]
Kyrgyzstan has been a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) since 1994 and contributes troops to CSTO's rapid reaction force
Military and security forces [time series]
Kyrgyz Armed Forces: Land Forces, Air Defense Forces, National Guard; State Border Service; Internal Troops; State Committee for National Security (2021)
Military and security service personnel strengths [time series]
the Kyrgyz Armed Forces have approximately 12,000 active duty troops (8,500 Land Forces; 2,500 Air Force/Air Defense; 1,000 National Guard) (2021)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions [time series]
the Kyrgyz Armed Forces' inventory is comprised of mostly older Russian and Soviet-era equipment; Kyrgyzstan relies on donations of military equipment, which come mostly from Russia under a 2013 agreement between Bishkek and Moscow (2021)
Military expenditures [time series]
1.8% of GDP (2020 est.) 1.5% of GDP (2019) 1.6% of GDP (2018) 1.6% of GDP (2017) 1.7% of GDP (2016)
Military service age and obligation [time series]
18-27 years of age for compulsory or voluntary male military service in the Armed Forces or Interior Ministry; 1-year service obligation (9 months for university graduates), with optional fee-based 3-year service in the call-up mobilization reserve; women may volunteer at age 19; 16-17 years of age for military cadets, who cannot take part in military operations (2021)
People and Society
Age structure [time series]
0-14 years: 30.39% (male 930,455/female 882,137) 15-24 years: 15.7% (male 475,915/female 460,604) 25-54 years: 40.02% (male 1,172,719/female 1,214,624) 55-64 years: 8.09% (male 210,994/female 271,480) 65 years and over: 5.8% (male 132,134/female 213,835) (2020 est.)
Birth rate [time series]
20.06 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight [time series]
1.8% (2018)
Contraceptive prevalence rate [time series]
39.4% (2018)
Current health expenditure (Current Health Expenditure) [time series]
6.5% (2018)
Death rate [time series]
6.18 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Dependency ratios [time series]
total dependency ratio: 59.7 youth dependency ratio: 52.1 elderly dependency ratio: 7.5 potential support ratio: 13.2 (2020 est.)
Drinking water source [time series]
improved: urban: 97.1% of population rural: 84.4% of population total: 89.3% of population unimproved: urban: 2.9% of population rural: 15.6% of population total: 10.7% of population (2017 est.)
Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]
5.4% of GDP (2019)
Ethnic groups [time series]
Kyrgyz 73.5%, Uzbek 14.7%, Russian 5.5%, Dungan 1.1%, other 5.2% (includes Uyghur, Tajik, Turk, Kazakh, Tatar, Ukrainian, Korean, German) (2019 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]
0.2% (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]
<100 (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]
9,200 (2020 est.)
Hospital bed density [time series]
4.4 beds/1,000 population (2014)
Infant mortality rate [time series]
total: 26.26 deaths/1,000 live births male: 30.49 deaths/1,000 live births female: 21.75 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
Languages [time series]
Kyrgyz (official) 71.4%, Uzbek 14.4%, Russian (official) 9%, other 5.2% (2009 est.) major-language sample(s): Дүйнөлүк фактылар китеби, негизги маалыматтын маанилүү булагы. (Kyrgyz) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Life expectancy at birth [time series]
total population: 72.07 years male: 67.97 years female: 76.45 years (2021 est.)
Literacy [time series]
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.6% male: 99.7% female: 99.5% (2018)
Major urban areas - population [time series]
1.060 million BISHKEK (capital) (2021)
Maternal mortality ratio [time series]
60 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Median age [time series]
total: 27.3 years male: 26.1 years female: 28.5 years (2020 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth [time series]
22.6 years (2019 est.)
Nationality [time series]
noun: Kyrgyzstani(s) adjective: Kyrgyzstani
Net migration rate [time series]
-4.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]
16.6% (2016)
Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]
2.21 physicians/1,000 population (2014)
Population [time series]
6,018,789 (July 2021 est.)
Population distribution [time series]
the vast majority of Kyrgyzstanis live in rural areas; densest population settlement is to the north in and around the capital, Bishkek, followed by Osh in the west; the least densely populated area is the east, southeast in the Tien Shan mountains
Population growth rate [time series]
0.9% (2021 est.)
Religions [time series]
Muslim 90% (majority Sunni), Christian 7% (Russian Orthodox 3%), other 3% (includes Jewish, Buddhist, Baha'i) (2017 est.)
Sanitation facility access [time series]
improved: urban: 99.6% of population rural: 100% of population total: 99.3% of population unimproved: urban: 0.4% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0.1% of population (2017 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]
total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 13 years (2020)
Sex ratio [time series]
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.78 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
Total fertility rate [time series]
2.52 children born/woman (2021 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]
total: 9.6% male: 7.8% female: 13.4% (2018 est.)
Urbanization [time series]
urban population: 37.1% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: 2.05% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international [time series]
disputes in Isfara Valley delay completion of delimitation with Tajikistan; delimitation of approximately 15% or 200 km of border with Uzbekistan is hampered by serious disputes over enclaves and other areas
Illicit drugs [time series]
a prime transshipment location; illegal drugs move from Afghanistan to Russia, and sometimes into Europe
Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]
stateless persons: 18 (2020)
Trafficking in persons [time series]
current situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Kyrgyzstan and Kyrgyzstanis abroad; Kyrgyz men, women, and children are exploited in forced labor in Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkey and other European countries specifically in agriculture, construction, textiles, domestic service, and childcare; sex traffickers exploit Kyrgyz women and girls domestically and in India, Kazakhstan, Russia, South Korea, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates; problems with police misconduct and corruption include allegations that police threaten and extort sex trafficking victims and accept bribes from alleged traffickers to drop cases; street children who beg or do domestic work are vulnerable to traffickers tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List Kyrgyzstan does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; the government adopted a National Referral Mechanism (NRM) that established formal policies on victim identification and the provision of social services; the government established an interagency focus group to accelerate implementation of the NRM and improve law enforcement investigations; authorities increased investigations but did not prosecute or convict any traffickers; the government conducted limited training on the NRM; some officials reportedly dropped charges or tipped off suspects and allowed victims to be pressured or paid to drop charges against alleged traffickers; the government s written plan, if implemented, would meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, Kyrgyzstan was granted a waiver per the Trafficking Victims Protection Act from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 (2020)
Transportation
Airports [time series]
total: 28 (2013)
Airports - with paved runways [time series]
total: 18 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 under 914 m: 3 (2017)
Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]
total: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 8 (2013)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix [time series]
EX
National air transport system [time series]
number of registered air carriers: 5 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 17 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 709,198 (2018)
Pipelines [time series]
3566 km gas (2018), 16 km oil (2013)
Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]
lake port(s): Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye)(Lake Ysyk-Kol)
Railways [time series]
total: 424 km (2018) broad gauge: 424 km 1.520-m gauge (2018)
Roadways [time series]
total: 34,000 km (2018)
Waterways [time series]
600 km (2010)