Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan

Introduction

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. Over the next few years, the new president manipulated the parliament to accrue new powers for himself. In July 2009, after months of harassment against his opponents and media critics, BAKIEV won re-election in a presidential campaign that the international community deemed flawed. In April 2010, nationwide protests led to the resignation and expulsion of BAKIEV. He was replaced by President Roza OTUNBAEVA who will serve as president until 31 December 2011 according to a presidential decree issued 19 May 2010. Presidential elections are scheduled to be held in October 2011. Continuing concerns include: endemic corruption, poor interethnic relations, and terrorism.

Geography

Location

Central Asia, west of China, south of Kazakhstan

Geographic coordinates

41 00 N, 75 00 E

Map references

Asia

Area

total: 199,951 sq km
country comparison to the world: 87 land:191,801 sq km
water:8,150 sq km

Area – comparative

slightly smaller than South Dakota

Land boundaries

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

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Climate

dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan Mountains

subtropical in southwest (Fergana Valley)

temperate in northern foothill zone

Terrain

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

Elevation extremes

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

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

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)

Irrigated land

10,196 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

46.5 cu km (1997)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

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

Natural hazards

NA

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

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

People and Society

Nationality

noun: Kyrgyzstani(s)
adjective:Kyrgyzstani

Ethnic groups

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

Languages

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

Religions

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

Population

5,587,443 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110

Age structure

0-14 years: 29.3% (male 834,024/female 801,750)
15-64 years:65.4% (male 1,790,534/female 1,865,521)
65 years and over:5.3% (male 114,200/female 181,414) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 25 years
male:24.1 years
female:26 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

1.427% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85

Birth rate

23.66 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70

Death rate

6.79 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144

Net migration rate

-2.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172

Urbanization

urban population: 35% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:1.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

BISHKEK (capital) 854,000 (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.053 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 (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

81 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 81

Infant mortality rate

total: 29.27 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 71 male:34.01 deaths/1,000 live births
female:24.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 70.04 years
country comparison to the world: 147 male:66.04 years
female:74.24 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.63 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78

Health expenditures

4.1% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 159

Physicians density

2.301 physicians/1,000 population (2007)
country comparison to the world: 58

Hospital bed density

5.06 beds/1,000 population (2007)
country comparison to the world: 38

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 99% of population
rural: 85% of population
total: 90% of population
unimproved:
urban: 1% of population
rural: 15% of population
total: 10% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 94% of population
rural: 93% of population
total: 93% of population
unimproved:
urban: 6% of population
rural: 7% of population
total: 7% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

0.3% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

9,800 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99

HIV/AIDS – deaths

fewer than 500 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

2.7% (2006)
country comparison to the world: 105

Education expenditures

5.9% of GDP (2008)
country comparison to the world: 31

Literacy

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

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 12 years
male:12 years
female:13 years (2009)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 14.6%
country comparison to the world: 79 male:13.6%
female:16.2% (2006)

Government

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

Government type

republic

Capital

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

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)

Independence

31 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

National holiday

Independence Day, 31 August (1991)

Constitution

27 June 2010

Legal system

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

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration

non-party state to the ICCt

Suffrage

18 years of age

universal

Executive branch

chief of state: President Roza OTUNBAEVA (since 19 May 2010)

note – OTUNBAEVA became acting president on 7 April 2010 following the early April 2010 riots that overthrew President Kurmanbek BAKIEV

she was appointed president through 31 December 2011 by a 19 May 2010 decree of the provisional government, which also prohibited her from running in the next presidential election

she was officially sworn in on 3 July 2010
head of government:Prime Minister Almazbek ATAMBAYEV (since 17 December 2010)

Deputy Prime Ministers – Shamil ATAKHANOV, Ibragim JUNUSOV (since 17 December 2010)
cabinet:Cabinet of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, appointed by the president

ministers in charge of defense and security, are appointed solely by the president
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections:Almazbet ATAMBAYEV elected by popular vote for a six-year term

election last held on 30 October 2011 (next scheduled for 2017)

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 form a coalition majority and government
election results:Almazbet ATAMBAYEV elected president

percent of vote – Almazbet ATAMBAYEV 63.2%, Adakhan MADUMAROV 14.7%, Kamchybek TASHIYEV 14.3%, other candidates 7.8%

note – ATAMBAYEV is scheduled to take office on 31 December 2011

Legislative branch

unicameral Supreme Council or Jogorku Kengesh (120 seats

members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections:last held on 10 October 2010 (next to be held in 2015)
election results:Supreme Council – percent of vote by party – NA

seats by party – Ata-Jurt 28, SDPK 26, Ar-Namys 25, Respublika 23, Ata-Meken 18

Judicial branch

Supreme Court

Constitutional Court (judges of both the Supreme and Constitutional Courts are appointed for 10-year terms by the Jogorku 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)

Political parties and leaders

Ar-Namys (Dignity) Party [Feliks KULOV]

Ata-Jurt (Homeland) [Kamchybek TASHIEV, Akhmat KELDIBEKOV]

Ata-Meken (Fatherland) [Omurbek TEKEBAEV]

Butun Kyrgyzstan (All Kyrgyzstan) [Adakhan MADUMAROV, Miroslav NIYAZOV]

Respublika [Omurbek BABANOV]

Social-Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan (SDPK) [Almazbek ATAMBAEV]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Adilet Legal Clinic [Cholpon JAKUPOVA]

Coalition for Democracy and Civil Society [Dinara OSHURAKHUNOVA]

Interbilim [Asiya SASYKBAEVA]

International organization participation

ADB, CICA, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, 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, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Tatiana 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

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

National symbol(s)

gyrfalcon

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

Economy

Economy – overview

Kyrgyzstan is a poor, mountainous country with a dominant agricultural sector. 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. The economy depends heavily on gold exports – mainly from output at the Kumtor gold mine. 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. In 2005, the BAKIEV government and international financial institutions initiated a comprehensive medium-term poverty reduction and economic growth strategy. Bishkek agreed to pursue much needed tax reform and, in 2006, became eligible for the heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) initiative. 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. GDP grew about 8% annually in 2007-08, partly due to higher gold prices internationally, but slowed to 2.3% in 2009. The overthrow of President BAKIEV in April, 2010 and subsequent ethnic clashes left hundreds dead and damaged infrastructure. Shrinking trade and agricultural production, as well as political instability, caused GDP to contract about 3.5% in 2010. The fiscal deficit widened to 11% of GDP, reflecting significant increases in crisis-related spending, including both rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure and bank recapitalization. Progress in reconstruction, fighting corruption, restructuring domestic industry, and attracting foreign aid and investment are key to future growth.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$12.02 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143 $12.18 billion (2009 est.)
$11.84 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$4.615 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

-1.4% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201 2.9% (2009 est.)
7.6% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$2,200 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185 $2,200 (2009 est.)
$2,200 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 20.7%
industry:28%
services:51.3% (2010 est.)

Labor force

2.344 million (2007)
country comparison to the world: 112

Labor force – by occupation

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

Unemployment rate

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

Population below poverty line

40% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 4.1%
highest 10%:27.9% (2007)

Distribution of family income – Gini index

33.4 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 99 29 (2001)

Investment (gross fixed)

28.1% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39

Budget

revenues: $1.262 billion
expenditures:$1.496 billion (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

27.3% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-5.1% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

8% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187 6.9% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

2.5% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13 15.11% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

29.425% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16 21.683% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$771.8 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150 $824.9 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.2 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161 $1.246 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$552 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163 $573.8 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$79 million (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 118 $71.84 million (31 December 2009)
$93.79 million (31 December 2008)

Agriculture – products

tobacco, cotton, potatoes, vegetables, grapes, fruits and berries

sheep, goats, cattle, wool

Industries

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

Industrial production growth rate

9.8% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28

Electricity – production

11.7 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86

Electricity – consumption

7.474 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96

Electricity – exports

913 million kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

535 million kWh (2008 est.)

Oil – production

946 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104

Oil – consumption

16,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139

Oil – exports

2,042 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114

Oil – imports

15,940 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123

Oil – proved reserves

40 million bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81

Natural gas – production

15.4 million cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89

Natural gas – consumption

665.4 million cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123

Natural gas – imports

640 million cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63

Natural gas – proved reserves

5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91

Current account balance

-$397.4 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106 -$300.2 million (2009 est.)

Exports

$1.783 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136 $1.7 billion (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

cotton, wool, meat, tobacco

gold, mercury, uranium, natural gas, hydropower

machinery

shoes

Exports – partners

Russia 35.7%, Uzbekistan 21.9%, Kazakhstan 17.3%, China 5.4%, UAE 4.6%, Afghanistan 4.3% (2010)

Imports

$2.981 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139 $2.814 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

oil and gas, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs

Imports – partners

China 61%, Russia 17.2%, Kazakhstan 5.7% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$1.72 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124 $1.585 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$3.738 billion (30 June 2010)
country comparison to the world: 125 $3.467 billion (31 December 2008)

Stock of direct foreign investment – at home

$NA (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – abroad

$NA

Exchange rates

soms (KGS) per US dollar -
46.337 (2010)
42.905 (2009)
36.108 (2008)
37.746 (2007)
40.149 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

28 (2010)
country comparison to the world:119

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 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 10
1,524 to 2,437 m:1
914 to 1,523 m:1
under 914 m:8 (2010)

Pipelines

gas 480 km

oil 16 km (2010)

Railways

total: 470 km
country comparison to the world: 112 broad gauge:470 km 1.520-m gauge (2010)

Roadways

total: 34,000 km (2007)
country comparison to the world: 96

Waterways

600 km (2010)
country comparison to the world: 79

Ports and terminals

Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach’ye)

Military

Military branches

Ground Forces, Air Force (includes Air Defense Forces), National Guard (2010)

Military service age and obligation

18-27 years of age for compulsory male military service in the armed forces or Interior Ministry

service obligation – 1 year, with optional fee-based 3-year service in the callup mobilization reserve

women may volunteer at age 19

16-17 years of age for military cadets, who cannot take part in military operations (2011)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 1,456,881
females age 16-49:1,470,317 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 1,119,224
females age 16-49:1,257,263 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 56,606
female:54,056 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

0.5% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 161

Transnational Issues

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