Kyrgyzstan

§1. Kyrgyzstan Introduction

Background:
  A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic
  traditions, Kyrgyzstan was annexed by Russia in 1864; it achieved
  independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Nationwide demonstrations in
  the spring of 2005 resulted in the ouster of President Askar AKAYEV, who
  had run the country since 1990. Subsequent presidential elections in July
  2005 were won overwhelmingly by former prime minister Kurmanbek BAKIYEV.
    Current concerns include: privatization of state-owned enterprises,
    expansion of democracy and political freedoms, reduction of corruption,
    improving interethnic relations, and combating terrorism.

§2. Kyrgyzstan Geography

Location:
  Central Asia, west of China

Geographic coordinates:
  41 00 N, 75 00 E

Map references:
  Asia

Area:
  total: 198,500 km²
  land: 191,300 km²
  water: 7,200 km²

Area - comparative:
  slightly smaller than South Dakota

Land boundaries:
  total: 3,878 km
  border countries: China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,051 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; 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:
  10,740 km² (1998 est.)

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
  signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:
  landlocked; entirely mountainous, dominated by the Tien Shan range; many
  tall peaks, glaciers, and high-altitude lakes

§3. Kyrgyzstan People

Population:
  5,213,898 (July 2006 est.)

Age structure:
  0-14 years: 30.9% (male 821,976/female 789,687)
  15-64 years: 62.9% (male 1,607,396/female 1,669,612)
  65 years and over: 6.2% (male 126,847/female 198,380) (2006 est.)

Median age:
  total: 23.6 years
  male: 22.8 years
  female: 24.5 years (2006 est.)

Population growth rate:
  1.32% (2006 est.)

Birth rate:
  22.8 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Death rate:
  7.08 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Net migration rate:
  -2.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.05 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 (2006 est.)

Infant mortality rate:
  total: 34.49 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 39.72 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 28.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 68.49 years
  male: 64.48 years
  female: 72.7 years (2006 est.)

Total fertility rate:
  2.69 children born/woman (2006 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  3,900 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  less than 200 (2003 est.)

Nationality:
  noun: Kyrgyzstani(s)
  adjective: Kyrgyzstani

Ethnic groups:
  Kyrgyz 64.9%, Uzbek 13.8%, Russian 12.5%, Dungan 1.1%, Ukrainian 1%, Uygur
  1%, other 5.7% (1999 census)

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

Languages:
  Kyrgyz (official), Russian (official)

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

§4. Kyrgyzstan Government

Country name:
  conventional long form: Kyrgyz Republic
  conventional short form: Kyrgyzstan
  local long form: Kyrgyz Respublikasy
  local short form: none
  former: Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic

Government type:
  republic

Capital:
  Bishkek

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 Soviet Union)

National holiday:
  Independence Day, 31 August (1991)

Constitution:
  adopted 5 May 1993; note - amendment proposed by President Askar AKAYEV and
  passed in a national referendum on 2 February 2003 significantly expands
  the powers of the president at the expense of the legislature; following
  the spring 2005 demonstrations, a new Constitutional Council was appointed
  and the reform process is ongoing

Legal system:
  based on civil law system

Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
  chief of state: President Kurmanbek BAKIYEV (since 14 August 2005); note -
    former President Askar AKAYEV resigned effective 11 April 2005 following
    widespread protests that forced him to flee the country on 24 March 2005
  head of government: Prime Minister Feliks KULOV (since 1 September 2005);
    First Deputy Prime Minister Medetbek KERIMKULOV (since 2 December 2005)
  cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president on the
    recommendation of the prime minister
  elections: Kurmanbek BAKIYEV elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
    election last held 10 July 2005 (next scheduled for 2010); prime minister
    nominated by the president for approval by Parliament
  election results: Kurmanbek BAKIYEV elected president; percent of vote -
    Kurmanbek BAKIYEV 88.6%, Tursunbai BAKIR-UULU 3.9%, other candidates
    7.5%; Feliks KULOV approved as prime minister 55-8

Legislative branch:
  unicameral Supreme Council or Jorgorku Kenesh (75 seats; members are
  elected by popular vote to serve five year terms)
  elections: elections for the new unicameral body or Jorgorku Kenesh were
    held 27 February 2005, but the vast majority of positions remained
    undecided and were contested in a runoff election on 13 March 2005;
    election irregularities caused widespread protests that resulted in the
    president being forced to flee the country
  election results: Supreme Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by
    party - NA

Judicial branch:
  Supreme Court (judges are appointed for 10-year terms by the Supreme
  Council on the recommendation of the president); Constitutional Court;
  Higher Court of Arbitration

Political parties and leaders:
  Adilet (Justice) Party [Toychubek KASYMOV]; Agrarian Labor Party of
  Kyrgyzstan [Uson SYDYKOV]; Agrarian Party of Kyrgyzstan [Erkin ALIYEV];
  Alga, Kyrgyzstan (Forward, Kyrgyzstan) [Bolot BEGALIYEV]; Ar-Namys
  (Dignity) Party [Emil ALIYEV]; Asaba (Banner National Revival Party)
  [Azimbek BEKNAZAROV]; Ata-Meken (Fatherland) [Omurbek TEKEBAYEV]; Communist
  Party of Kyrgyzstan [Klara ADZHIBEKOVA]; Democratic Movement of Kyrgyzstan
  or DDK [Jypar JEKSHEYEV]; Erkin Kyrgyzstan Progressive and Democratic Party
  [Bektur ASANOV]; Erkindik (Freedom) Party [Topchubek TURGUNALIYEV]; Future
  of Kyrgyzstan [Balbak TULEBAYEV]; Jany Kyrgyzstan (New Kyrgyzstan) [Dosbol
  NUR UULU]; Kairan El [Dooronbek SADYKOV]; Kyrgyz National Party [Bakyt
  BESHIMOV]; Kyrgyzstan Kelechegi [Ruslan CHYNYBAYEV]; Manas El (Party of
  Spiritual Restoration) [Chingiz AITMATOV]; Moya Strana (My Country Party of
  Action) [Joomart OTORBAYEV]; Party of Communists of Kyrgyzstan or KCP
  [Bakytbek BEKBOYEV]; Party of Justice and Progress [Muratbek IMANALIEV];
  Party of Peasants [Esengul ISAKOV]

Political pressure groups and leaders:
  Council of Free Trade Unions; Kyrgyz Committee on Human Rights [Ramazan
  DYRYLDAYEV]; National Unity Democratic Movement; Union of Entrepreneurs

International organization participation:
  AsDB, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM,
  IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO
  (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), OIC, ONUB, OPCW, OSCE, PCA,
  PFP, SCO, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UPU, WCO, WFTU,
  WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Zamira SYDYKOVA
  chancery: 1001 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20004
  telephone: [1] (202) 742-6604
  FAX: [1] (202) 742-6501
  consulate(s): New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Marie L. YOVANOVITCH
  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 the roof of the
  traditional Kyrgyz yurt

§5. Kyrgyzstan Economy

Economy - overview:
  Kyrgyzstan is a poor, mountainous country with a predominantly agricultural
  economy. 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. Kyrgyzstan has been progressive in carrying out market
  reforms, such as an improved regulatory system and land reform. Kyrgyzstan
  was the first 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. Kyrgyzstan has distinguished itself by adopting
  relatively liberal economic policies. The drop in output at the Kumtor gold
  mine sparked a 0.5% decline in GDP in 2002, but GDP growth bounced back in
  2003- 05. The government has made steady strides in controlling its
  substantial fiscal deficit and reduced the deficit to 1% of GDP in 2005.
  The government and international financial institutions have been engaged
  in a comprehensive medium- term poverty reduction and economic growth
  strategy, and in 2005 agreed to pursue much-needed tax reform. Progress
  fighting corruption, further restructuring of domestic industry, and
  success in attracting foreign investment are keys to future growth.

GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $9.033 billion (2005 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate):
  $2.041 billion (2005 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:
  2% (2005 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $1,800 (2005 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:
  agriculture: 37.1%
  industry: 21.9%
  services: 41% (2005 est.)

Labor force:
  2.7 million (2000)

Labor force - by occupation:
  agriculture 55%, industry 15%, services 30% (2000 est.)

Unemployment rate:
  18% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:
  40% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: 3.9%
  highest 10%: 23.3% (2001)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:
  29 (2001)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  4.2% (2005 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):
  15% of GDP (2005 est.)

Budget:
  revenues: $516.3 million
  expenditures: $539.9 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005
    est.)

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:
  7.1% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:
  13.77 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - consumption:
  8.783 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - exports:
  4.13 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - imports:
  108 million kWh (2003)

Oil - production:
  1,990 bbl/day (2003)

Oil - consumption:
  11,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - exports:
  NA bbl/day

Oil - imports:
  NA bbl/day

Natural gas - production:
  6 million m³ (2003 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:
  1.5 billion m³ (2004 est.)

Natural gas - exports:
  0 m³ (2004 est.)

Natural gas - imports:
  1.5 billion m³ (2004 est.)

Current account balance:
  $-77.02 million (2005 est.)

Exports:
  $759 million f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Exports - commodities:
  cotton, wool, meat, tobacco; gold, mercury, uranium, natural gas,
  hydropower; machinery; shoes

Exports - partners:
  UAE 28.2%, Russia 19.1%, China 12%, Kazakhstan 11.1%, Switzerland 6.3%
  (2004)

Imports:
  $937.4 million f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Imports - commodities:
  oil and gas, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs

Imports - partners:
  China 26.3%, Russia 22.3%, Kazakhstan 17.1%, Turkey 5.4% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
  $593.2 million (2005 est.)

Debt - external:
  $2.428 billion (31 December 2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:
  $50 million from the US (2001)

Currency (code):
Exchange rates:
  soms per US dollar - 41.012 (2005), 42.65 (2004), 43.648 (2003), 46.937
  (2002), 48.378 (2001)

Fiscal year:
  calendar year

§6. Kyrgyzstan Communications

Telephones - main lines in use:
  416,400 (2004)

Telephones - mobile cellular:
  263,400 (2004)

Telephone system:
  general assessment: development of telecommunications infrastructure is
    slow; fixed line penetration remains low and concentrated in Bishkek
  domestic: two wireless telephony service providers, but penetration remains
    low
  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 - 1 Intersputnik and 1 Intelsat; connected
    internationally by the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line

Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 12 (plus 10 repeater stations), FM 14, shortwave 2 (1998)

Television broadcast stations:
  NA (repeater stations throughout the country relay programs from Russia,
  Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkey) (1997)

Internet country code:
  .kg

Internet hosts:
  18,539 (2005)

Internet users:
  263,000 (2005)

§7. Kyrgyzstan Transportation

Airports:
  37 (2005)

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 (2005)

Airports - with unpaved runways:
  total: 19
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
  914 to 1,523 m: 1
  under 914 m: 16 (2005)

Pipelines:
  gas 367 km; oil 13 km (2004)

Railways:
  total: 470 km
  broad gauge: 470 km 1.520-m gauge (2004)

Roadways:
  total: 18,500 km
  paved: 16,854 km
  unpaved: 1,646 km (1999)

Waterways:
  600 km (2006)

Ports and terminals:
  Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye)

§8. Kyrgyzstan Military

Military branches:
  Army, Air Force, National Guard (2004)

Military service age and obligation:
  18 years of age for compulsory military service (2001)

Manpower available for military service:
  males age 18-49: 1,193,529 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:
  males age 18-49: 871,493 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:
  males: 61,091 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:
  $19.2 million (FY01)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
  1.4% (FY01)

§9. Kyrgyzstan Transnational Issues

Disputes - international:
  delimitation with Kazakhstan is complete; 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


<Factbook 2006>
