The Diplomat Country Snapshots provide a quick and easy resource for key economic, social and political data for the countries of the Asia-Pacific.

Kyrgyzstan

Official Name:

Kyrgyz Republic

Area:

488,100 sq km

Population:

5.4 million (July 2009 est.) World Rank: 111

Life Expectancy:

Total population: 69 years Male: 65 years Female: 74 years (2009 est.)

Nationality:

Kyrgyzstani

Language:

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

Capital:

Bishkek

Government Type:

Republic

Leadership:

Head of state: Interim President Roza Otunbayeva

GDP:

$11.7 billion (2008 est.) World Rank: 143

Military:

1.4% of GDP (2005 est.) Total troops (inc. reserves): 74,500

Military Expenditure (USD):

19 million World Rank: 153

Major Exports:

Cotton, wool, meat, tobacco, gold, mercury, uranium, natural gas, hydropower, machinery, shoes

Current Environmental Issues:

Water contamination, increased soil salinity from faulty irrigation practices

Population Below Poverty Line:

40% (2004 est.)

Internet Users:

850,000 (2008) World Rank: 95

Human Development Index:

120/182 Medium Human Development (UNDP, 2009)

Embassies in Kyrgyzstan:

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Upcoming Events in Kyrgyzstan:

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Synopsis:

Independent since the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991, Kyrgyzstan is an extremely mountainous, landlocked country. The Tien Shan mountain range occupies the whole country with over 90 percent of land being over 1000m above sea level. Ranked only 111th in the world in terms of population, 36 percent of the 5.4 million inhabitants live in urbanised areas. The country is currently trying to recover from a fall in GDP caused by a decrease in gold prices after a few years of successful growth. Other concerns restricting development include endemic corruption, interethnic relations, privitisation of state owned enterprises and continuing negative trends in democracy and political freedom.

Despite officially being a parliamentary republic, recently ousted President, Kurmanbek Bakiev while in office consolidated a great deal of power through constitutional change and despite being re-elected in 2009, these elections did not meet international standards resulting in a great deal of harassment of Bakiev’s opponents and the media. Kyrgyzstan is yet to accept compulsory International Court of Justice jurisdiction.

The economy of Kyrgyzstan is predominantly agricultural, despite only 6.5 percent of land being classed as arable. Kyrgyzstan has been progressive in market reforms since independence, becoming the first CIS state to join the World Trade Organisation in 1998, aided by US support. Tax reforms in 2005 went some way to improve the fiscal situation but in spite of this, 40 percent of the population remains below the poverty line. Restructuring domestic industry and success in attracting foreign investment will be important for economic growth in the future.

Kyrgyzstan has fostered links with Turkey and furthered regional cooperation by participating in joint military exercises with Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Since 2001 it has also been the site of the Manas Transit Center, which is a key logistical hub for the coalition effort in Afghanistan.