Kyrgyzstan

Broadcast media

state-run TV broadcaster operates 2 nationwide networks and 6 regional stations; roughly 20 private TV stations operating with most rebroadcasting other channels; state-run radio broadcaster operates 2 networks; about 20 private radio stations (2007)

Internet country code

.kg

Internet users

total: 1,976,006 | percent of population: 34.5% (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 113

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 up to over 130 per 100 persons | 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 (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 382,149 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 7 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 100

Telephones - mobile cellular

total: 7,613,528 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 133 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 101

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

revenues: $1.868 billion | expenditures: $2.166 billion (2016 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4.6% of GDP (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 153

Central bank discount rate

5% (31 December 2016) | 8% (31 December 2015) | country comparison to the world: 79

Commercial bank prime lending rate

22.23% (31 December 2016 est.) | 24.25% (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 11

Current account balance

$-633 million (2016 est.) | $-1.052 billion (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 109

Debt - external

$8.182 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $7.504 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 119

Distribution of family income - Gini index

33.4 (2007) | 29 (2001) | country comparison to the world: 107

Economy - overview

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 over 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, declining oil prices, and regional economic headwinds have damaged economies across Central Asia. The Kyrgyz government remains dependent on foreign donor support to finance its annual budget deficit of approximately 4 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. While joining the EAEU has increased Kyrgyz labor mobility within member states, large-scale trade and investment pledged by Kyrgyz leaders has been slow in developing since accession. Kyrgyz entrepreneurs and politicians alike often contend that non-tariff measures imposed by other EAEU member states, particularly Kazakhstan, are negatively impacting sectors of the Kyrgyz economy that enjoy a comparative advantage, such as meat and dairy production. Since acceding to the EAEU, the Kyrgyz Republic has continued harmonizing its laws and regulations to conform to EAEU standards, though many local entrepreneurs have criticized this process as disjointed and incomplete. The keys to future growth include progress in fighting corruption, improving administrative transparency, restructuring and diversifying domestic industries, and attracting foreign aid and investment.

Exchange rates

soms (KGS) per US dollar - | 69.914 (2016 est.) | 69.914 (2015 est.) | 64.462 (2014 est.) | 53.654 (2013 est.) | 47.01 (2012 est.)

Exports

$1.544 billion (2016 est.) | $1.571 billion (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 147

Exports - commodities

gold, cotton, wool, garments, meat; mercury, uranium, electricity; machinery; shoes

Exports - partners

Switzerland 44.9%, Kazakhstan 10.5%, Russia 10.1%, Uzbekistan 8.7%, Turkey 6.2%, China 5.5% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate)

$6.551 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$21.5 billion (2016 est.) | $20.46 billion (2015 est.) | $19.56 billion (2014 est.) | note: data are in 2016 dollars | country comparison to the world: 142

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 81.5% | government consumption: 18.2% | investment in fixed capital: 31% | investment in inventories: 3.5% | exports of goods and services: 35.4% | imports of goods and services: -69.6% (2016 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 14.9% | industry: 29.2% | services: 55.9% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$3,500 (2016 est.) | $3,400 (2015 est.) | $3,400 (2014 est.) | note: data are in 2016 dollars | country comparison to the world: 183

GDP - real growth rate

3.8% (2016 est.) | 3.5% (2015 est.) | 4% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 71

Gross national saving

23.8% of GDP (2016 est.) | 18.3% of GDP (2015 est.) | 20.4% of GDP (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 62

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 4.4% | highest 10%: 22.9% (2014 est.)

Imports

$3.644 billion (2016 est.) | $3.791 billion (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 132

Imports - commodities

oil and gas, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs

Imports - partners

China 37.8%, Russia 20.7%, Kazakhstan 16.4%, Turkey 4.9% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

5.9% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 36

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.4% (2016 est.) | 6.5% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 64

Labor force

2.787 million (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 107

Labor force - by occupation

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

Market value of publicly traded shares

$165 million (31 December 2012 est.) | $165 million (31 December 2011 est.) | $79 million (31 December 2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 120

Population below poverty line

32.1% (2015 est.)

Public debt

58.5% of GDP (2016 est.) | 64.9% of GDP (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 78

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$1.97 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $1.778 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 119

Stock of broad money

$1.667 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $1.084 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 160

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$655.5 million (31 December 2016 est.) | $629.3 million (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 89

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$5.21 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $4.748 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 104

Stock of domestic credit

$1.444 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $993.4 million (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 159

Stock of narrow money

$1.411 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $928.2 million (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 141

Taxes and other revenues

28.5% of GDP (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 92

Unemployment rate

7.5% (2016 est.) | 7.6% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 96

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

9.4 million Mt (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 106

Crude oil - exports

19.65 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 83

Crude oil - imports

100 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 84

Crude oil - production

1,000 bbl/day (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 91

Crude oil - proved reserves

40 million bbl (1 January 2017 es) | country comparison to the world: 82

Electricity - consumption

10.68 billion kWh (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 91

Electricity - exports

184 million kWh (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 76

Electricity - from fossil fuels

20.6% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 195

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

79.4% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 15

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 119

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 189

Electricity - imports

729 million kWh (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 74

Electricity - installed generating capacity

3.89 million kW (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 91

Electricity - production

12.8 billion kWh (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 90

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption

773 million cu m (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 105

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 129

Natural gas - imports

160 million cu m (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 74

Natural gas - production

30 million cu m (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 89

Natural gas - proved reserves

5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2017 es) | country comparison to the world: 95

Refined petroleum products - consumption

33,000 bbl/day (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 118

Refined petroleum products - exports

2,698 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 105

Refined petroleum products - imports

31,960 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 99

Refined petroleum products - production

1,776 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 104

Area

total: 199,951 sq km | land: 191,801 sq km | water: 8,150 sq km | country comparison to the world: 88

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

mean elevation: 2,988 m | 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

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

10,233 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

total: 4,573 km | border countries (4): China 1,063 km, Kazakhstan 1,212 km, Tajikistan 984 km, Uzbekistan 1,314 km

Land use

agricultural land: 55.4% | arable land 6.7%; permanent crops 0.4%; permanent pasture 48.3% | forest: 5.1% | other: 39.5% (2011 est.)

Location

Central Asia, west of China, south of Kazakhstan

Map references

Asia

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

major flooding during snow melt; prone to earthquakes

Natural resources

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

Population - distribution

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

peaks of the Tien Shan mountain range and associated valleys and basins encompass the entire country

Administrative divisions

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

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

Citizenship

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

history: previous 1993; latest adopted by referendum 27 June 2010, effective 2 July 2010; note - the current constitution prohibits any change until 2020 | 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 (2017)

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 | 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 forty clans united by the legendary Kyrgyz hero, MANAS

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Alan MELTZER (since August 2017) | embassy: 171 Prospect Mira, Bishkek 720016 | mailing address: use embassy street address | telephone: [996] (312) 597-000 | FAX: [996] (312) 597-744

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Kadyr TOKTOGULOV (since 23 February 2015) | chancery: 2360 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008 | telephone: [1] (202) 449-9822 | FAX: [1] (202) 449-8275 | consulate(s): New York

Executive branch

chief of state: President Almazbek ATAMBAEV (since 1 December 2011) | head of government: Prime Minister Sapar ISAKOV (since 26 August 2017) | cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, appointed by the president; defense and security committee chairs appointed by the president | elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a single 6-year term; election last held on 15 October 2017 (next to be held in October 2023); prime minister nominated by the majority party or majority coalition in the Supreme Council, appointed by the president | election results: Sooronbay JEENBEKOV elected president in first round; percent of vote - Sooronbay JEENBEKOV (SDPK) 54.3%, Omurbek BABANOV (independent) 33.4%, Adakhan MADUMAROV (United Kyrgyzstan) 6.4%, Temir SARIYEV (Akshumar) 2.5%, other 3.4%; note - Sooronbay JEENBEKOV's inauguration is scheduled for 4 December 2017; Sapar ISAKOV elected prime minister; Supreme Council vote - 97 to 5

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 a "tunduk" - the crown of a traditional Kyrgyz yurt; red symbolizes bravery and valor, the sun evinces peace and wealth

Government type

parliamentary republic

Independence

31 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

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

highest court(s): 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

civil law system, which includes features of French civil law and Russian Federation laws

Legislative branch

description: unicameral Supreme Council or Jogorku Kenesh (120 seats; members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms) | elections: last held on 4 October 2015 (next to be held in 2020) | election results: percent of vote by party - SDPK 27.4%, Respublika-Ata-Jurt 20.1%, Kyrgyzstan Party 12.9%, Onuguu-Progress 9.3%, Bir Bol 8.5%, Ata-Meken 7.7%, other 14.1%; seats by party - SDPK 38, Respublika-Ata-Jurt 28, Kyrgyzstan Party 18, Onuguu-Progress 13, Bir Bol 12, Ata-Meken 11

National anthem

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

Independence Day, 31 August (1991)

National symbol(s)

gyrfalcon; national colors: red, yellow

Political parties and leaders

Akshumkar (White Falcon) [Temir SARIYEV] | Ata-Jurt (Homeland) [Kamchybek TASHIEV] | Ata-Meken (Fatherland) [Omurbek TEKEBAEV] | Bir Bol (Stay United) [Altynbek SULAIMANOV] | Kyrgyzstan Party [Almazbek BATYRBEKOV] | Onuguu-Progress [Bakyt TOROBAEV] | Respublika (Republic) [Omurbek BABANOV] | Respublika-Ata-Jurt (Republic-Homeland) [Omurbek BABANOV] (parliamentary faction) | Social-Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan or SDPK [Isa OMURKULOV] | United Kyrgyzstan [Adakhan MADUMAROV]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Adilet (Justice) Legal Clinic [Cholpon JAKUPOVA] | Bir Duino [Tolekan ISMAILOVA] (formerly Citizens Against Corruption) | Coalition for Democracy and Civil Society [Azamat ADILOV] | Kylym Shamy (Torch of the Century) [Aziza ABDIRASULOVA] (human rights) | Precedent Partnership Group [Nurbek TOKTAKUNOV] | Societal Analysis Public Association [Rita KARASARTOVA]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions, most of the territory of present-day Kyrgyzstan was formally annexed to 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 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. Former Prime Minister Kurmanbek BAKIEV overwhelmingly won the presidential election in the summer of 2005. Over the next few years, he manipulated the parliament to accrue new powers for the presidency. In July 2009, after months of harassment against his opponents and media critics, BAKIEV won reelection in a presidential campaign that the international community deemed flawed. In April 2010, violent protests in Bishkek led to the collapse of the BAKIEV regime and his eventual flight to Minsk, Belarus. His successor, Roza OTUNBAEVA, served as transitional president until Almazbek ATAMBAEV was inaugurated in December 2011, marking the first peaceful transfer of presidential power in independent Kyrgyzstan's history. Continuing concerns include: the trajectory of democratization, endemic corruption, poor interethnic relations, border security vulnerabilities, and potential terrorist threats. | Under the 2010 Constitution, ATAMBAEV is limited to one term, which will end in 2017. Constitutional amendments passed in a referendum in December 2016 include language that transfers some presidential powers to the prime minister. Disagreement over the constitutional amendments compelled ATAMBAEV’s Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan to dissolve the ruling coalition and create a new majority coalition in the Jogorku Kenesh that excluded opposition parties critical of the amendments.

Military branches

State Committee on Defense Affairs (GKDO): Ground Forces, Air Force (includes Air Defense Forces) (2015)

Military expenditures

3.15% of GDP (2016) | 3.45% of GDP (2015) | 3.38% of GDP (2014) | 3.2% of GDP (2013) | 3.21% of GDP (2012)

Military service age and obligation

18-27 years of age for compulsory or voluntary male military service in the Armed Forces or Interior Ministry; 1-year service obligation, 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 (2013)

Age structure

0-14 years: 30.3% (male 899,545/female 854,745) | 15-24 years: 16.79% (male 493,924/female 478,217) | 25-54 years: 39.84% (male 1,130,422/female 1,175,729) | 55-64 years: 7.8% (male 196,856/female 254,694) | 65 years and over: 5.27% (male 116,584/female 188,406) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

22.1 births/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 72

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

2.8% (2014) | country comparison to the world: 101

Contraceptive prevalence rate

42% (2014)

Death rate

6.5 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 143

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 54.7 | youth dependency ratio: 48.1 | elderly dependency ratio: 6.6 | potential support ratio: 15.1 (2015 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 96.7% of population | rural: 86.2% of population | total: 90% of population | urban: 3.3% of population | rural: 13.8% of population | total: 10% of population (2015 est.)

Education expenditures

5.5% of GDP (2014) | country comparison to the world: 25

Ethnic groups

Kyrgyz 70.9%, Uzbek 14.3%, Russian 7.7%, Dungan 1.1%, other 5.9% (includes Uyghur, Tajik, Turk, Kazakh, Tatar, Ukrainian, Korean, German) (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.2% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 91

HIV/AIDS - deaths

<500 (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

8,500 (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 100

Health expenditures

6.5% of GDP (2014) | country comparison to the world: 91

Hospital bed density

4.8 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

total: 25.9 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 30 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 21.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 68

Languages

Kyrgyz (official) 71.4%, Uzbek 14.4%, Russian (official) 9%, other 5.2% (2009 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 70.9 years | male: 66.8 years | female: 75.4 years (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 156

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 99.5% | male: 99.6% | female: 99.4% (2015 est.)

Major urban areas - population

BISHKEK (capital) 865,000 (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

76 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 82

Median age

total: 26.5 years | male: 25.4 years | female: 27.6 years (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 148

Mother's mean age at first birth

23.2 years (2014 est.)

Nationality

noun: Kyrgyzstani(s) | adjective: Kyrgyzstani

Net migration rate

-5.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 193

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

16.6% (2016) | country comparison to the world: 121

Physicians density

1.85 physicians/1,000 population (2014)

Population

5,789,122 (July 2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 114

Population distribution

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

1.05% (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 107

Religions

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

Sanitation facility access

urban: 89.1% of population | rural: 95.6% of population | total: 93.3% of population | urban: 10.9% of population | rural: 4.4% of population | total: 6.7% of population (2015 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 13 years | male: 13 years | female: 13 years (2014)

Sex ratio

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: 0.96 male(s)/female | 55-64 years: 0.77 male(s)/female | 65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female | total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.61 children born/woman (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 76

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 15% | male: 12.5% | female: 19.1% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 80

Urbanization

urban population: 36% of total population (2017) | rate of urbanization: 2.04% annual rate of change (2015-20 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 over 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

Refugees and internally displaced persons

stateless persons: 2,334 (2016); note - most stateless people were born in Kyrgyzstan, have lived there many years, or married Kyrgyz citizens; in 2009, Kyrgyzstan adopted a national action plan to speed up the exchange of old Soviet passports for Kyrgyz ones; between 2014 and 2016, Kyrgyzstan has resolved nearly 9,000 stateless cases; stateless people are unable to register marriages and births, to travel within the country or abroad, to own property, or to receive social benefits

Airports

28 (2013) | country comparison to the world: 122

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 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

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

EX (2016)

National air transport system

number of registered air carriers: 3 | inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 10 | annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 625,294 | annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 69,290 mt-km (2015)

Pipelines

gas 480 km; oil 16 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

lake port(s): Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye)(Lake Ysyk-Kol)

Railways

total: 470 km | broad gauge: 470 km 1.520-m gauge (2014) | country comparison to the world: 116

Roadways

total: 34,000 km (2007) | country comparison to the world: 94

Waterways

600 km (2010) | country comparison to the world: 78