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: 1.713 million | percent of population: 30.2% (July 2015 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 about 130 per 100 persons in 2015 | 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 (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 408,037 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 7 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 100

Telephones - mobile cellular

total: 7.579 million | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 134 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 101

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

revenues: $1.987 billion | expenditures: $2.085 billion (2015 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-1.5% of GDP (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 71

Central bank discount rate

13.73% (22 December 2011) | 2.5% (31 December 2010) | country comparison to the world: 15

Commercial bank prime lending rate

24.25% (31 December 2015 est.) | 22.36% (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 10

Current account balance

-$979 million (2015 est.) | -$1.245 billion (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 110

Debt - external

$7.37 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $7.257 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 119

Distribution of family income - Gini index

33.4 (2007) | 29 (2001) | country comparison to the world: 103

Economy - overview

Kyrgyzstan is a poor, mountainous 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 Canadian investors in the nation’s largest gold mine deter potential investors. Remittances from Kyrgyz migrant workers in Russia and Kazakhstan are equivalent to about a quarter of Kyrgyzstan’s GDP. | Following independence, Kyrgyzstan rapidly carried out market reforms, such as improving the regulatory system and instituting land reform. Kyrgyzstan was the first Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) 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 damaged economies across Central Asia. | Kyrgyz leaders hope the country’s August 2015 accession to the Eurasian Economic Union will bolster trade and investment, but slowing economies in Russia and China, low commodity prices, and currency fluctuations continue to hamper economic growth. The keys to future growth include progress in fighting corruption, improving administrative transparency, restructuring domestic industry, and attracting foreign aid and investment.

Exchange rates

soms (KGS) per US dollar - | 64.462 (2015 est.) | 53.654 (2014 est.) | 53.654 (2013 est.) | 47.01 (2012 est.) | 46.144 (2011 est.)

Exports

$1.61 billion (2015 est.) | $1.794 billion (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 143

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Switzerland 26%, Uzbekistan 22.6%, Kazakhstan 20.8%, UAE 4.9%, Turkey 4.5%, Afghanistan 4.5%, Russia 4.2% (2015)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate)

$6.65 billion (2015 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$20.1 billion (2015 est.) | $19.42 billion (2014 est.) | $18.75 billion (2013 est.) | note: data are in 2015 US dollars | country comparison to the world: 146

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 81.3% | government consumption: 17.9% | investment in fixed capital: 30.2% | investment in inventories: 2.7% | exports of goods and services: 36.3% | imports of goods and services: -68.4% (2015 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 17.7% | industry: 26% | services: 56.3% (2015 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$3,400 (2015 est.) | $3,300 (2014 est.) | $3,200 (2013 est.) | note: data are in 2015 US dollars | country comparison to the world: 183

GDP - real growth rate

3.5% (2015 est.) | 3.6% (2014 est.) | 10.5% (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 83

Gross national saving

20.6% of GDP (2015 est.) | 9.3% of GDP (2014 est.) | 9.3% of GDP (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 92

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.8% | highest 10%: 27.8% (2009 est.)

Imports

$3.648 billion (2015 est.) | $5.204 billion (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 133

Imports - commodities

oil and gas, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs

Imports - partners

China 56.4%, Russia 17.1%, Kazakhstan 9.9% (2015)

Industrial production growth rate

0.9% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 150

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

6.5% (2015 est.) | 7.5% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 190

Labor force

2.732 million (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 108

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: 119

Population below poverty line

33.7% (2011 est.)

Public debt

68.8% of GDP (2015 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$1.778 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $1.957 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 119

Stock of broad money

$1.333 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $1.399 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 166

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$331.4 million (31 December 2015 est.) | $418.3 million (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 88

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$4.347 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $3.667 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 101

Stock of domestic credit

$831.4 million (31 December 2015 est.) | $1.074 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 164

Stock of narrow money

$928.2 million (31 December 2015 est.) | $1.062 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 154

Taxes and other revenues

29.9% of GDP (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 81

Unemployment rate

8% (2013 est.) | 8.1% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 92

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

9.4 million Mt (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 105

Crude oil - exports

19.65 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 145

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 208

Crude oil - production

1,000 bbl/day (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 92

Crude oil - proved reserves

40 million bbl (1 January 2016 es) | country comparison to the world: 81

Electricity - consumption

11 billion kWh (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 90

Electricity - exports

72 million kWh (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 46

Electricity - from fossil fuels

21.1% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 193

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

78.9% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 16

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 119

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 186

Electricity - imports

300 million kWh (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 88

Electricity - installed generating capacity

3.9 million kW (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 84

Electricity - production

14 billion kWh (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 85

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption

429 million cu m (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 100

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 126

Natural gas - imports

395 million cu m (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 66

Natural gas - production

34 million cu m (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 85

Natural gas - proved reserves

5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2016 es) | country comparison to the world: 93

Refined petroleum products - consumption

37,000 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 113

Refined petroleum products - exports

3,070 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 108

Refined petroleum products - imports

35,710 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 87

Refined petroleum products - production

1,571 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 108

Area

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

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

NA

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 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

previous 1993; latest adopted 27 June 2010, effective 2 July 2010; note - the current constitution prohibits any change until 2020 (2016)

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 Sheila GWALTNEY (14 October 2015) | 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 Kadyr TOKTOGULOV (since 23 February 2015) | chancery: 2360 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008 | telephone: [1] (202) 449-9822-23 | FAX: [1] (202) 386-7550 | consulate(s): New York

Executive branch

chief of state: President Almazbek ATAMBAEV (since 1 December 2011) | head of government: Prime Minister Sooronbay JEENBEKOV (since 13 April 2016) | 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 30 October 2011 (next to be held in 2017); prime minister nominated by the majority party or majority coalition in the Supreme Council, appointed by the president | election results: Almazbek ATAMBAEV elected president; percent of vote - Almazbek ATAMBAEV (SDPK) 63.2%, Adakhan MADUMAROV (All Kyrgyzstan) 14.7%, Kamchybek TASHIEV (Homeland) 14.3%, other 7.8%; Sooronbay JEENBEKOV elected prime minister; Supreme Council vote - 115 to 0

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 Court (consists of 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 Kengesh (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: Supreme Council - 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 7.8%, other 14%; 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

Ata-Jurt-Respublika (Homeland-Republic) [Omurbek BABANOV, Kamchybek TASHIEV] | Ata-Meken (Fatherland) [Omurbek TEKEBAEV] | Bir Bol (Stay United) [Altynbek SULAIMANOV] | Kyrgyzstan Party [Kanatbek ISAEV, Kanybek IMANALIEV] | Onuguu-Progress [Bakyt TOROBAEV] | Social-Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan or SDPK [Almazbek ATAMBAEV]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Adilet (Justice) Legal Clinic [Cholpon JAKUPOVA] | Citizens Against Corruption [Tolekan ISMAILOVA] | Coalition for Democracy and Civil Society [Dinara OSHURAKHUNOVA] | Kylym Shamy (Torch of the Century) [Aziza ABDIRASULOVA] | Precedent Partnership Group [Nurbek TOKTAKUNOV] | Societal Analysis Public Association [Rita KARASARTOVA] | Union of True Muslims [Nurlan MOTUEV]

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.

Military branches

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

Military expenditures

NA% (2012) | 3.74% of GDP (2011)

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 callup 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: 30.12% (male 883,875/female 841,362) | 15-24 years: 17.47% (male 508,656/female 492,046) | 25-54 years: 39.68% (male 1,112,777/female 1,159,967) | 55-64 years: 7.59% (male 189,684/female 245,202) | 65 years and over: 5.13% (male 112,494/female 181,490) (2016 est.)

Birth rate

22.6 births/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 72

Child labor - children ages 5-14

total number: 563,920 | percentage: 40.3% | note: data represent children ages 5-17 (2007 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

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

Contraceptive prevalence rate

36.3% (2012)

Death rate

6.6 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 144

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 55.3% | youth dependency ratio: 48.8% | elderly dependency ratio: 6.6% | potential support ratio: 15.2% (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

6.8% of GDP (2013) | 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

0.22% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 92

HIV/AIDS - deaths

200 (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 95

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

8,100 (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 95

Health expenditures

6.5% of GDP (2014) | country comparison to the world: 77

Hospital bed density

4.8 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

total: 26.8 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 30.9 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 22.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 67

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 70.7 years | male: 66.5 years | female: 75.1 years (2016 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: 86

Median age

total: 26.2 years | male: 25.2 years | female: 27.3 years (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 148

Mother's mean age at first birth

23.3 (2013 est.)

Nationality

noun: Kyrgyzstani(s) | adjective: Kyrgyzstani

Net migration rate

-5.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 194

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

13.3% (2014) | country comparison to the world: 118

Physicians density

1.97 physicians/1,000 population (2013)

Population

5,727,553 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 115

Population distribution

the vast majority of Kyrgyzstanis live in rural areas; densest population settlement is to the north in and around Bishkek, followed by Osh in the west; the least densely populated area is the east, southeast in the Tien Shan mountains

Population growth rate

1.09% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 109

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

2.64 children born/woman (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 74

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 13.4% | male: 12% | female: 15.8% (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 80

Urbanization

urban population: 35.7% of total population (2015) | rate of urbanization: 1.58% annual rate of change (2010-15 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: 9,118 (2015); 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; 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 (2013)

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