Kyrgyzstan

Introduction

Background

A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions, most of the territory of the present-day Kyrgyz Republic 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. The Kyrgyz Republic became a Soviet republic in 1936 and achieved independence in 1991 when the USSR dissolved. Nationwide demonstrations in 2005 and 2010 resulted in the ouster of the country’s first two presidents, Askar AKAEV and Kurmanbek BAKIEV. Interim President Roza OTUNBAEVA led a transitional government and following a nation-wide election, President Almazbek ATAMBAEV was sworn in as president in 2011. In 2017, ATAMBAEV became the first Kyrgyzstani president to step down after serving one full six-year term as required in the country’s constitution. Former prime minister and ruling Social-Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan member Sooronbay JEENBEKOV replaced him after winning an October 2017 presidential election that was the most competitive in the country’s history, although international and local election observers noted cases of vote buying and abuse of public resources. The president holds substantial powers as head of state even though the prime minister oversees the Kyrgyzstani Government and selects most cabinet members. The president represents the country internationally and can sign or veto laws, call for new elections, and nominate Supreme Court judges, cabinet members for posts related to security or defense, and numerous other high-level positions. Continuing concerns for the Kyrgyz Republic include the trajectory of democratization, endemic corruption, a history of tense, and at times violent, interethnic relations, border security vulnerabilities, and potential terrorist threats.

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

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than South Dakota

Land boundaries

total: 4,573 km
border countries (4): China 1063 km, Kazakhstan 1212 km, Tajikistan 984 km, Uzbekistan 1314 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 the Tien Shan mountain range and associated valleys and basins encompass the entire country

Elevation

mean elevation: 2,988 m
lowest point: Kara-Daryya (Karadar'ya) 132 m
highest point: Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m

Natural resources

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

Land use

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

Irrigated land

10,233 sq km (2012)

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

Natural hazards

major flooding during snow melt; prone to earthquakes

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; air pollution due to rapid increase of traffic

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

Population

5,849,296 (July 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114

Nationality

noun: Kyrgyzstani(s)
adjective: Kyrgyzstani

Ethnic groups

Kyrgyz 73.5%, Uzbek 14.7%, Russian 5.5%, Dungan 1.1%, other 5.2% (includes Uyghur, Tajik, Turk, Kazakh, Tatar, Ukrainian, Korean, German) (2019 est.)

Languages

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

Religions

Muslim 90% (majority Sunni), Christian 7% (Russian Orthodox 3%), other 3% (includes Jewish, Buddhist, Baha'i) (2017 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 30.4%(male 912,455 /female 865,910)
15-24 years: 16.28%(male 483,799 /female 468,653)
25-54 years: 39.94%(male 1,146,221 /female 1,189,763)
55-64 years: 7.95%(male 202,754 /female 262,412)
65 years and over: 5.43%(male 121,221 /female 196,108) (2018 est.)
population pyramid:

Dependency ratios

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

Median age

total: 26.8 years (2018 est.)
male: 25.7 years
female: 27.9 years
country comparison to the world: 147

Population growth rate

1.02% (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106

Birth rate

21.6 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72

Death rate

6.4 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146

Net migration rate

-5.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195

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

Urbanization

urban population: 36.6% of total population(2019)
rate of urbanization: 2.03% annual rate of change(2015-20 est.)

Major urban areas - population

1.017 million BISHKEK (capital) (2019)

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 (2018 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth

23.2 years (2014 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

60 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89

Infant mortality rate

total: 25 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
male: 29 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 20.7 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 68

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 71.2 years (2018 est.)
male: 67.1 years
female: 75.6 years
country comparison to the world: 156

Total fertility rate

2.59 children born/woman (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71

Contraceptive prevalence rate

42% (2014)

Drinking water source

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

Current Health Expenditure

6.6% (2016)

Physicians density

1.88 physicians/1,000 population (2014)

Hospital bed density

4.5 beds/1,000 population (2013)

Sanitation facility access

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.2% (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

8,500 (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106

HIV/AIDS - deaths

<200 (2018 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

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

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

2.8% (2014)
country comparison to the world: 104

Education expenditures

7.2% of GDP (2017)
country comparison to the world: 12

Literacy

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

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 13 years
male: 13 years
female: 14 years (2017)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 14.8%
male: 11.7%
female: 21% (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93

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
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 40 clans united by the legendary Kyrgyz hero, MANAS

Government type

parliamentary 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)
etymology: founded in 1868 as a Russian settlement on the site of a previously destroyed fortress named "Pishpek"; the name was retained and overtime became "Bishkek"

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)

Independence

31 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

National holiday

Independence Day, 31 August (1991)

Constitution

history: previous 1993; latest adopted by referendum 27 June 2010, effective 2 July 2010; note - constitutional amendments that bolstered some presidential powers and transferred others from the president to the prime minister passed in a referendum in December 2016, effective December 2017
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 (2018)

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

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

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state: President Sooronbay JEENBEKOV (since 24 November 2017)
head of government: Prime Minister Mukhammedkalyy ABYLGAZIEV (since 20 April 2018); First Deputy Prime Minister Kubatbek BORONOV (since 20 April 2018); Deputy Prime Ministers Jenish RAZAKOV (since 20 April 2018), Altynay OMURBEKOVA (since 20 April 2018), Zamirbek ASKAROV (since 20 April 2018)
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, appointed by the president upon approval by the Supreme Council; 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 upon approval by the Supreme Council
election results: Sooronbay JEENBEKOV elected president in first round; percent of vote - Sooronbay JEENBEKOV (SDPK) 54.2%, Omurbek BABANOV (Respublika) 33.5%, Adakhan MADUMAROV (Butun Kyrgyzstan) 6.6%, Temir SARIYEV (Akshumar) 2.5%, other 3.2%

Legislative branch

description: unicameral Supreme Council or Jogorku Kengesh (120 seats; parties directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by closed party-list proportional representation vote; members selected from party lists 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; composition - men 97, women 23, percent of women 19.2%

Judicial branch

highest courts: 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

Political parties and leaders

Ata-Meken (Fatherland) [Almambet SHYKMAMATOV]
Bir Bol (Stay United) [Altynbek SULAYMANOV]
Kyrgyzstan Party [Almazbek BAATYRBEKOV]
Onuguu-Progress (Development-Progress) [Bakyt TOROBAEV]
Respublika-Ata-Jurt (Republic-Homeland) [Jyrgalbek TURUSKULOV] (parliamentary faction)
Social-Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan or SDPK [Almazbek ATAMBAEV, Isa OMURKULOV]

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

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Bolot I. OTUNBAEV (since 8 April 2018)
chancery: 2360 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 449-9822
FAX: [1] (202) 449-8275
honorary consulate(s): Maple Valley (WA)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Donald LU (since 18 September 2018)
telephone: [996] (312) 597-000
embassy: 171 Prospect Mira, Bishkek 720016
mailing address: use embassy street address
FAX: [996] (312) 597-744

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)

white falcon; national colors: red, yellow

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 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 more than 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 and declining oil prices have dampened economies across Central Asia. The Kyrgyz government remains dependent on foreign donor support to finance its annual budget deficit of approximately 3 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. Large-scale trade and investment pledged by Kyrgyz leaders has been slow to develop. Many Kyrgyz entrepreneurs and politicians complain that non-tariff measures imposed by other EAEU member states are hurting certain sectors of the Kyrgyz economy, such as meat and dairy production, in which they have comparative advantage. Since acceding to the EAEU, the Kyrgyz Republic has continued harmonizing its laws and regulations to meet EAEU standards, though many local entrepreneurs believe this process as disjointed and incomplete. Kyrgyzstan’s economic development continues to be hampered by corruption, lack of administrative transparency, lack of diversity in domestic industries, and difficulty attracting foreign aid and investment.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$23.15 billion (2017 est.)
$22.14 billion (2016 est.)
$21.22 billion (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 144

GDP (official exchange rate)

$7.565 billion (2017 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

4.6% (2017 est.)
4.3% (2016 est.)
3.9% (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$3,700 (2017 est.)
$3,600 (2016 est.)
$3,500 (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 183

Gross national saving

27.3% of GDP (2017 est.)
20.1% of GDP (2016 est.)
18.3% of GDP (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 85.4% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 18.9% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 33.2% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 1.8% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 39.7% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -79% (2017 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 14.6% (2017 est.)
industry: 31.2% (2017 est.)
services: 54.2% (2017 est.)

Agriculture - products

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

Industries

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

Industrial production growth rate

10.9% (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10

Labor force

2.841 million (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107

Labor force - by occupation

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

Unemployment rate

7.1% (2017 est.)
7.2% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109

Population below poverty line

32.1% (2015 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

Distribution of family income - Gini index

33.4 (2007)
29 (2001)
country comparison to the world: 113

Budget

revenues: 2.169 billion (2017 est.)
expenditures: 2.409 billion (2017 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

28.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140

Public debt

56% of GDP (2017 est.)
55.9% of GDP (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79

Fiscal year

calendar year

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.2% (2017 est.)
0.4% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135

Central bank discount rate

5% (31 December 2016)
8% (31 December 2015)
country comparison to the world: 81

Commercial bank prime lending rate

18.49% (31 December 2017 est.)
22.23% (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19

Stock of narrow money

$1.698 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$1.411 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139

Stock of broad money

$1.698 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$1.411 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147

Stock of domestic credit

$1.856 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$1.444 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155

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

Current account balance

-$306 million (2017 est.)
-$792 million (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105

Exports

$1.84 billion (2017 est.)
$1.544 billion (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145

Exports - partners

Switzerland 59.1%, Uzbekistan 9.4%, Kazakhstan 5.1%, Russia 4.9%, UK 4% (2017)

Exports - commodities

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

Imports

$4.187 billion (2017 est.)
$3.709 billion (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138

Imports - commodities

oil and gas, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs

Imports - partners

China 32.6%, Russia 24.8%, Kazakhstan 16.4%, Turkey 4.8%, US 4.2% (2017)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$2.177 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$1.97 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120

Debt - external

$8.164 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$8.182 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$6.003 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$5.21 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$709.3 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$655.5 million (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91

Exchange rates

soms (KGS) per US dollar -
68.35 (2017 est.)
69.914 (2016 est.)
69.914 (2015 est.)
64.462 (2014 est.)
53.654 (2013 est.)

Energy

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 100% (2016)

Electricity - production

13.04 billion kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93

Electricity - consumption

10.52 billion kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94

Electricity - exports

184 million kWh (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77

Electricity - imports

331 million kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87

Electricity - installed generating capacity

4.046 million kW (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87

Electricity - from fossil fuels

24% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

76% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197

Crude oil - production

1,000 bbl/day (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150

Crude oil - imports

4,480 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77

Crude oil - proved reserves

40 million bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79

Refined petroleum products - production

6,996 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102

Refined petroleum products - consumption

37,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114

Refined petroleum products - exports

2,290 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103

Refined petroleum products - imports

34,280 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96

Natural gas - production

28.32 million cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88

Natural gas - consumption

186.9 million cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134

Natural gas - imports

169.9 million cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74

Natural gas - proved reserves

5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

10.02 million Mt (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108

Communications

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 362,288
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 6 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 7,369,927
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 127 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103

Telephone system

general assessment: digital radio-relay stations, and fiber-optic links; low fixed-line and fixed-broadband penetration and low to moderate mobile broadband penetration; international connectivity continues to grow; 4 mobile networks in operation; 4G networks cover over 50% of the nation, eventually 5G networks will be available (2018)
domestic: fixed-line penetration 6 per 100 persons remains low and concentrated in urban areas; mobile-cellular subscribership up to over 127 per 100 persons (2018)
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) (2019)

Broadcast media

state-funded public TV broadcaster KTRK has nationwide coverage; also operates Ala-Too 24 news channel which broadcasts 24/7 and 4 other educational, cultural, and sports channels; ELTR and Channel 5 are state-owned stations with national reach; the switchover to digital TV in 2017 resulted in private TV station growth; approximately 20 stations are struggling to increase their own content up to 50% of airtime, as required by law, instead of rebroadcasting primarily programs from Russian channels or airing unlicensed movies and music; 3 Russian TV stations also broadcast; state-funded radio stations and about 10 significant private radio stations also exist (2019)

Internet country code

.kg

Internet users

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

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 258,013
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100

Military and Security

Military expenditures

1.57% of GDP (2018)
1.67% of GDP (2017)
1.77% of GDP (2016)
1.75% of GDP (2015)
1.71% of GDP (2014)
country comparison to the world: 73

Military and security forces

Kyrgyz Armed Forces:  Land Forces, Air Defense Forces, National Guard, and State Border Service (2019)

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 (9 months for university graduates), 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)

Transportation

National air transport system

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

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

EX (2016)

Airports

28 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 123

Airports - with paved runways

total: 18 (2017)
over 3,047 m: 1 (2017)
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (2017)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 (2017)
under 914 m: 3 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 10 (2013)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)
under 914 m: 8 (2013)

Pipelines

3566 km gas (2018), 16 km oil (2013)

Railways

total: 424 km (2018)
broad gauge: 424 km1.520-m gauge (2018)
country comparison to the world: 118

Roadways

total: 34,000 km (2018)
country comparison to the world: 93

Waterways

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

Ports and terminals

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

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international

disputes in Isfara Valley delay completion of delimitation with Tajikistan; delimitation of approximately 15% or 200 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

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