Page last updated on January 28, 2014
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. 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 re-election 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 fleeing 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, and terrorism.
Central Asia, west of China, south of Kazakhstan
total: 199,951 sq km
country comparison to the world: 87
land: 191,801 sq km
water: 8,150 sq km
slightly smaller than South Dakota
total: 3,051 km
border countries: China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,224 km, Tajikistan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km
dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan Mountains; subtropical in southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone
peaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basins encompass entire nation
lowest point: Kara-Daryya (Karadar'ya) 132 m
highest point: Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m
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
arable land: 6.38%
permanent crops: 0.37%
other: 93.24%
note: Kyrgyzstan has the world's largest natural-growth walnut forest (2011)
total: 8.01 cu km/yr (3%/4%/93%)
per capita: 1,558 cu m/yr (2006)
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
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
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
noun: Kyrgyzstani(s)
adjective: Kyrgyzstani
Kyrgyz 64.9%, Uzbek 13.8%, Russian 12.5%, Dungan 1.1%, Ukrainian 1%, Uighur 1%, other 5.7% (1999 census)
Kyrgyz (official) 64.7%, Uzbek 13.6%, Russian (official) 12.5%, Dungun 1%, other 8.2% (1999 census)
Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5%
5,548,042 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
0-14 years: 29.7% (male 842,511/female 805,295)
15-24 years: 19.4% (male 547,456/female 530,702)
25-54 years: 39.2% (male 1,063,702/female 1,111,423)
55-64 years: 6.8% (male 162,851/female 213,254)
65 years and over: 4.9% (male 104,129/female 166,719) (2013 est.)
total dependency ratio: 52.7 %
youth dependency ratio: 46.4 %
elderly dependency ratio: 6.4 %
potential support ratio: 15.7 (2013)
total: 25.4 years
male: 24.5 years
female: 26.4 years (2013 est.)
0.97% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
23.67 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
6.83 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
-7.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
urban population: 35.3% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 1.31% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
BISHKEK (capital) 854,000 (2009)
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: 0.63 male(s)/female
total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
71 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 87
total: 29.73 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 68
male: 34.05 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 25.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
total population: 69.75 years
country comparison to the world: 154
male: 65.58 years
female: 74.21 years (2013 est.)
2.71 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
6.2% of GDP (2010)
country comparison to the world: 102
2.47 physicians/1,000 population (2011)
4.8 beds/1,000 population (2011)
0.3% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
9,800 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
fewer than 500 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
15.5% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 118
2.7% (2006)
country comparison to the world: 112
5.8% of GDP (2010)
country comparison to the world: 47
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.2%
male: 99.5%
female: 99% (2009 est.)
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 13 years (2011)
total number: 563,920
percentage: 40.3 %
note: data represents children ages 5-17 (2007 est.)
total: 14.6%
country comparison to the world: 86
male: 13.6%
female: 16.2% (2006)
conventional long form: Kyrgyz Republic
conventional short form: Kyrgyzstan
local long form: Kyrgyz Respublikasy
local short form: Kyrgyzstan
former: Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic
name: Bishkek
geographic coordinates: 42 52 N, 74 36 E
time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
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)
31 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
Independence Day, 31 August (1991)
previous 1993; latest adopted 27 June 2010, effective 2 July 2010 (2010)
civil law system which includes features of French civil law and Russian Federation laws
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
18 years of age; universal
chief of state: President Almazbek ATAMBAEV (since 1 December 2011)
head of government: Prime Minister Jantoro SATYBALDIEV (since 5 September 2012); First Deputy Prime Minister - Joomart OTORBAEV (since 5 September 2012); Deputy Prime Ministers - Tayyrbek SARPASHEV and Kamila TALIEVA (since 5 September 2012), Tokon MAMYTOV (since 19 June 2013)
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
elections: president elected by popular vote for one six-year term; election last held on 30 October 2011 (next to be held in 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: Almazbek ATAMBAEV elected president; percent of vote - Almazbek ATAMBAEV 63.2%, Adakhan MADUMAROV 14.7%, Kamchybek TASHIEV 14.3%, other 7.8%; Jantoro SATYBALDIEV elected prime minister; parliamentary vote - 111-2
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
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
Ar-Namys (Dignity) Party [Feliks KULOV]
Adilet (Justice) Legal Clinic [Cholpon JAKUPOVA]
ADB, CICA, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, 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, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
chief of mission: Ambassador Mukhtar JUMALIEV (since 7 December 2010)
chancery: 2360 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 449-9822
FAX: [1] (202) 386-7550
consulate(s): New York
chief of mission: Ambassador Pamela L. SPRATLEN (since 15 April 2011)
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
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
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
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 - and on remittances from Kyrgyzstani migrant workers primarily in Russia. 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. 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 2.9% 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 the political instability caused by the change in government, caused GDP to contract 0.5% in 2010. The fiscal deficit widened to 11% of GDP in 2010, reflecting significant increases in crisis-related spending, including both rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure and bank recapitalization. The economy grew 5.7% in 2011, but slowed to around 1% in 2012, primarily due to an 83% decrease in production from Kumtor. As a result, the budget deficit increased at year's end. Progress in fighting corruption, improving transparency in licensing, business permits and taxations, restructuring domestic industry, and attracting foreign aid and investment are key to future growth.
$13.14 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
$6.385 billion (2012 est.)
-0.9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195
$2,400 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
2.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
household consumption: 88%
government consumption: 17.6%
investment in fixed capital: 25.5%
investment in inventories: -0.2%
exports of goods and services: 53.6%
imports of goods and services: -84.4%
agriculture: 21.3%
industry: 32.6%
services: 46.1% (2012 est.)
tobacco, cotton, potatoes, vegetables, grapes, fruits and berries; sheep, goats, cattle, wool
small machinery, textiles, food processing, cement, shoes, sawn logs, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold, rare earth metals
11.9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
2.344 million (2007)
country comparison to the world: 115
agriculture: 48%
industry: 12.5%
services: 39.5% (2005 est.)
8.6% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
lowest 10%: 2.8%
highest 10%: 27.8% (2009 est.)
33.4 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 96
revenues: $1.9 billion
expenditures: $2.281 billion (2012 est.)
29.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
-6% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
2.7% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
13.73% (22 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
28.43% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
$1.372 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
$1.952 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
$932.5 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
$165 million (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 115
$-1.497 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129
$1.921 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
gold, cotton, wool, garments, meat, tobacco; mercury, uranium, electricity; machinery; shoes
Kazakhstan 26.2%, Uzbekistan 26.1%, Russia 14.6%, China 7%, UAE 6.1%, Afghanistan 5.2% (2012)
$4.967 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
oil and gas, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs
China 55.2%, Russia 17.4%, Kazakhstan 7.9% (2012)
$2.066 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
$3.746 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
$1.685 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
$39.6 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
soms (KGS) per US dollar -
14.9 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
7.326 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
2.62 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
0 kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
3.64 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
20.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
79.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
1,000 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
40 million bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 80
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
16,640 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
2,433 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
35,040 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
10 million cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
462.5 million cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
390 million cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 91
7.793 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
489,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 98
6.8 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 94
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 was about 115 per 100 persons in 2011
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 (2011)
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)
115,573 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 81
2.195 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 74
28 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 122
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)
total: 10
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m:
gas 480 km; oil 16 km (2013)
total: 470 km
country comparison to the world: 112
broad gauge: 470 km 1.520-m gauge (2008)
total: 34,000 km (2007)
country comparison to the world: 94
600 km (2010)
country comparison to the world: 79
lake port(s): Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye)(Lake Ysyk-Kol)
Ground Forces, Air Force (includes Air Defense Forces) (2013)
18-27 years of age for compulsory or voluntary 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 (2013)
males age 16-49: 1,456,881
females age 16-49: 1,470,317 (2010 est.)
males age 16-49: 1,119,224
females age 16-49: 1,257,263 (2010 est.)
male: 56,606
female: 54,056 (2010 est.)
NA% (2012)
country comparison to the world: 38
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
IDPs: 172,000 (June 2010 violence in southern Kyrgyzstan between the Kyrgyz majority and the Uzbek minority) (2012)
stateless persons: 15,473 (2012); note - most stateless people were born in Kyrgystan, have lived there many years, or are married to a Kyrgyz citizen; 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
