Kyrgyzstan

Internet country code

.kg

Internet hosts

82,496 (2009) country comparison to the world: 76

Internet users

850,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 95

Radio broadcast stations

AM 3 (plus 10 repeater stations), FM 23, shortwave NA (2007)

Telephone system

general assessment: telecommunications infrastructure is being upgraded; loans from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) are being used to install a digital network, digital radio-relay stations, and fiber-optic links domestic: fixed line penetration remains low and concentrated in urban areas; multiple mobile cellular service providers with growing coverage; mobile cellular subscribership exceeded 60 per 100 persons in 2008 international: country code - 996; 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 - 2 (1 Intersputnik, 1 Intelsat); connected internationally by the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line (2008)

Telephones - main lines in use

494,500 (2008) country comparison to the world: 99

Telephones - mobile cellular

3.394 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 101

Television broadcast stations

8 (2 countrywide and 6 regional stations; state-owned); note - there are about 20 private TV stations, most of which rebroadcast other channels (2007)

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

revenues: $1.274 billion expenditures: $1.231 billion (2008 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

19.86% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 10 25.32% (31 December 2007)

Current account balance

-$680 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 -$267.9 million (2007 est.)

Debt - external

$3.467 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 115 $3.162 billion (31 December 2007)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

30.3 (2003) country comparison to the world: 113 29 (2001)

Economy - overview

Kyrgyzstan is a poor, mountainous country with a predominantly agricultural economy. 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. 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 economy is heavily weighted toward gold export and a drop in output at the main Kumtor gold mine sparked a 0.5% decline in GDP in 2002 and a 0.6% decline in 2005. The government made steady strides in controlling its substantial fiscal deficit, nearly closing the gap between revenues and expenditures in 2006, before boosting expenditures more than 20% in 2007-08. The government and international financial institutions have been engaged in a comprehensive medium-term poverty reduction and economic growth strategy. In 2005, Bishkek agreed to pursue much-needed tax reform and, in 2006, became eligible for the heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) initiative. Progress fighting corruption, further restructuring of domestic industry, and success in attracting foreign investment are keys to future growth. GDP grew more than 6% annually in 2007-08, partly due to higher gold prices internationally, but growth is likely to decline from that level in 2009, due to declining demand and lower commodity prices in the wake of the international financial crisis.

Electricity - consumption

9 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 87

Electricity - exports

2.379 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production

15.96 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 76

Exchange rates

soms (KGS) per US dollar - 36.108 (2008 est.), 37.746 (2007), 40.149 (2006), 41.012 (2005), 42.65 (2004)

Exports

$1.847 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 $1.337 billion (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Switzerland 27.2%, Russia 19.2%, Uzbekistan 14.3%, Kazakhstan 11.4%, France 6.7% (2008)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$5.05 billion (2008 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$11.64 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 $10.82 billion (2007 est.) $9.971 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 29.8% industry: 19.7% services: 50.6% (2008 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$2,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 184 $2,000 (2007 est.) $1,900 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

7.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 8.5% (2007 est.) 3.1% (2006 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 25.9% (2004)

Imports

$3.754 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 $2.636 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities

oil and gas, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs

Imports - partners

Russia 36.6%, China 17.9%, Kazakhstan 9.2%, Germany 8.2% (2008)

Industrial production growth rate

10.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 9

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

24.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 211 10.2% (2007 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

23.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 68

Labor force

2.344 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 110

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 48% industry: 12.5% services: 39.5% (2005 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 109 $121 million (31 December 2007) $92.69 million (31 December 2006)

Natural gas - consumption

750 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 91

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 162

Natural gas - imports

720 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 57

Natural gas - production

30 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 85

Natural gas - proved reserves

5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 91

Oil - consumption

15,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 136

Oil - exports

1,890 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 116

Oil - imports

12,850 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 134

Oil - production

958.4 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 106

Oil - proved reserves

40 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 79

Population below poverty line

40% (2004 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$1.225 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 $1.177 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$16.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 67

Stock of domestic credit

$NA (31 December 2008) $558.3 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of money

$NA (31 December 2008) $911.1 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money

$NA (31 December 2008) $303.7 million (31 December 2007)

Unemployment rate

18% (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 160

Area

total: 199,951 sq km country comparison to the world: 86 land: 191,801 sq km water: 8,150 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than South Dakota

Climate

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

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Kara-Daryya (Karadar'ya) 132 m highest point: Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m

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

Environment - international agreements

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 10.08 cu km/yr (3%/3%/94%) per capita: 1,916 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates

41 00 N, 75 00 E

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

Irrigated land

10,720 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

total: 3,051 km border countries: China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,224 km, Tajikistan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km

Land use

arable land: 6.55% permanent crops: 0.28% other: 93.17% note: Kyrgyzstan has the world's largest natural-growth walnut forest (2005)

Location

Central Asia, west of China

Map references

Asia

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

NA

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

Terrain

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

Total renewable water resources

46.5 cu km (1997)

Administrative divisions

7 provinces (oblastlar, singular - oblasty) and 1 city* (shaar); Batken Oblasty, 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

name: Bishkek geographic coordinates: 42 52 N, 74 36 E time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

approved by referendum in November 2006 note: under the old constitution adopted on 5 May 1993, an amendment proposed by President Askar AKAEV and passed in a national referendum on 2 February 2003 significantly expanded the powers of the president at the expense of the legislature; during large-scale demonstrations in November 2006, President BAKIEV and the opposition negotiated a new constitution granting greater powers to the parliament and the government; amendments added on 30 December 2006 redistributed some power back to the president, but both November and December 2006 versions were annulled in September 2007, and a new version was approved by referendum on 21 October 2007; the BAKIEV-initiated referendum was criticized by Western observers for voting irregularities, particularly ballot stuffing

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Tatiana C. GFOELLER embassy: 171 Prospect Mira, Bishkek 720016 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [996] (312) 551-241, (517) 777-217 FAX: [996] (312) 551-264

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Zamira SYDYKOVA chancery: 2360 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 449-9822 FAX: [1] (202) 386-7550 consulate(s): New York

Executive branch

chief of state: President Kurmanbek BAKIEV (since 14 August 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Daniyar USENOV (since 21 October 2009); First Deputy Prime Minister Akylbek JAPAROV (since 22 October 2009) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, appointed by the president; ministers in charge of defense and security, appointed solely by the president elections: Kurmanbek BAKIEV reelected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 23 July 2009 (next scheduled for 2014); 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 nominate a prime minister election results: Kurmanbek BAKIEV elected president; percent of vote - Kurmanbek BAKIEV 76.1%, Almaz ATAMBAYEV 8.4%, Temir SARIYEV 6.7%, other candidates 8.8%

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 the roof of the traditional Kyrgyz yurt

Government type

republic

Independence

31 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

International organization participation

ADB, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, MINURCAT, NAM (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court; Constitutional Court (judges of both the Supreme and Constitutional Courts are appointed for 10-year terms by the Jorgorku Kengesh on the recommendation of the president; their mandatory retirement age is 70 years); Higher Court of Arbitration; Local Courts (judges appointed by the president on the recommendation of the National Council on Legal Affairs for a probationary period of five years, then 10 years)

Legal system

based on French and Russian laws; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch

unicameral Supreme Council or Jorgorku Kengesh (90 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 16 December 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: Supreme Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Ak Jol 71, Social Democratic Party 11, KCP 8

National holiday

Independence Day, 31 August (1991)

Political parties and leaders

Ak Jol (Good Luck) [Avtandil ARABAEV, Elmira IBRAIMOVA, Vladimir NIFADYEV, co-chairs]; Ak Shumkar (Gerfalcon) [Temir SARIYEV]; Ar-Namys (Dignity) Party [Emil ALIEV]; Asaba (Banner National Revival Party) [Sovetbek JAMALDINOV]]; Ata-Meken (Fatherland) [Omurbek TEKEBAEV]; Democratic Movement of Kyrgyzstan or DDK [Viktor TCHETRNOMORETS]; Erkindik (Freedom) Party [Topchubek TURGUNALIEV]; For Justice Movement [Alikbek JEKSHENKULOV]; Green Party [Erkin BULEKBAEV]; Moya Strana (My Country Party of Action) [Medet SADYRKULOV]; Party of Communists of Kyrgyzstan or KCP [Iskhak MASALIEV]; Party of Justice and Progress [Muratbek IMANALIEV]; Party of Peasants [Esengul ISAKOV]; Republican Party of Labor and Unity [Tabaldy OROZALIEV]; Revolutionary Committee [Azimbek BEKNAZAROV]; Sanjira (Tree of Life) [Ednan KARABAEV]; Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan [Almaz ATAMBAEV]; Svoboda Vybora (Free Choice) Party [Vyacheslav LISOVSKIY]; Turan Party [Kanybek IMANALIYEV]; Uluu Birimdik (Solidarity) Party [Emilbek KAPTAGAEV]; Union of Democratic Forces [Osmon ARTYKBAEV]; United Kyrgyzstan [Amangeldi MURALIEV]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Adilet Legal Clinic [Cholpon JAKUPOVA]; Coalition for Democracy and Civil Society [Dinara OSHURAKHUNOVA]; Interbilim [Asiya SASYKBAEVA]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

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. Subsequent presidential elections in July 2005 were won overwhelmingly by former prime minister Kurmanbek BAKIEV. The political opposition organized demonstrations in Bishkek in April, May, and November 2006 resulting in the adoption of a new constitution that transferred some of the president's powers to parliament and the government. In December 2006, the Kyrgyzstani parliament voted to adopt new amendments, restoring some of the presidential powers lost in the November 2006 constitutional change. By late-September 2007, both previous versions of the constitution were declared illegal, and the country reverted to the AKAEV-era 2003 constitution, which was subsequently modified in a flawed referendum initiated by BAKIEV. The president then dissolved parliament, called for early elections, and gained control of the new parliament through his newly-created political party, Ak Jol, in December 2007 elections. Current concerns include: privatization of state-owned enterprises, negative trends in democracy and political freedoms, endemic corruption, improving interethnic relations, electricity generation, rising food prices, and combating terrorism.

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 1,398,878 females age 16-49: 1,419,374 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 1,083,777 females age 16-49: 1,229,406 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 57,659 female: 55,557 (2009 est.)

Military branches

Ground Forces, Air Force (includes Air Defense Forces), National Guard (2009)

Military expenditures

1.4% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 119

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for compulsory military service (2001)

Age structure

0-14 years: 29.7% (male 822,128/female 789,425) 15-64 years: 64.5% (male 1,717,497/female 1,787,551) 65 years and over: 5.8% (male 123,045/female 192,101) (2009 est.)

Birth rate

23.44 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 75

Death rate

6.91 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 136

Education expenditures

4.9% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 78

Ethnic groups

Kyrgyz 64.9%, Uzbek 13.8%, Russian 12.5%, Dungan 1.1%, Ukrainian 1%, Uygur 1%, other 5.7% (1999 census)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 120

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 111

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

4,200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

Infant mortality rate

total: 31.26 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 72 male: 36.19 deaths/1,000 live births female: 26.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Languages

Kyrgyz 64.7% (official), Uzbek 13.6%, Russian 12.5% (official), Dungun 1%, other 8.2% (1999 census)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 69.43 years country comparison to the world: 146 male: 65.43 years female: 73.64 years (2009 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.7% male: 99.3% female: 98.1% (1999 census)

Median age

total: 24.4 years male: 23.6 years female: 25.3 years (2009 est.)

Nationality

noun: Kyrgyzstani(s) adjective: Kyrgyzstani

Net migration rate

-2.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 145

Population

5,431,747 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 112

Population growth rate

1.396% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 96

Religions

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

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2006)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.65 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 87

Urbanization

urban population: 36% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Disputes - international

Kyrgyzstan has yet to ratify the 2001 boundary delimitation with Kazakhstan; disputes in Isfara Valley delay completion of delimitation with Tajikistan; delimitation of 130 km of border with Uzbekistan is hampered by serious disputes around enclaves and other areas

Illicit drugs

limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy for CIS markets; limited government eradication of illicit crops; transit point for Southwest Asian narcotics bound for Russia and the rest of Europe; major consumer of opiates

Airports

29 (2009) country comparison to the world: 116

Airports - with paved runways

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 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 9 (2009)

Pipelines

gas 254 km; oil 16 km (2008)

Ports and terminals

Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye)

Railways

total: 470 km country comparison to the world: 116 broad gauge: 470 km 1.520-m gauge (2008)

Roadways

total: 18,500 km country comparison to the world: 116 paved: 16,909 km (includes 140 km of expressways) unpaved: 1,591 km (2003)

Waterways

600 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 79