Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyz RepublicKyrgyz Respublikasy

republicIndependence 31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Kyrgyzstan as the 1998 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 99 fields, one of 34 editions from 1992 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalBishkek

Position41 00 N, 75 00 E

Area198,500 sq km

LocationCentral Asia, west of China

Populationas each edition published it

4.52 million July 1998 est. · 4.57m in 1992

Population growth% a year

0.37% 1998 est. · 1.56% in 1993

Median ageyears

Not in this edition 22.7 yrs in 2003

Life expectancyyears at birth

63.77 years 1998 est. · 67.71 yrs in 1993

Fertility ratechildren per woman

2.68 children per woman 1998 est. · 4 in 1992

Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births

74.76 deaths per 1,000 live births 1998 est. · 56 in 1992

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

$2,100 1997 est. · $2,440 in 1994

GDP real growth% a year

10% 1997 est. · -25% in 1993

Geography

Central Asia, west of China

18 fields

Land useshare of 198,500 sq km

arable land 7%permanent crops 0%permanent pastures 44%forests and woodland 4%other 45% (1993 est.)irrigated 9,000 sq km (1993 est.)note: Kyrgyzstan has the world's largest natural growth walnut forest

Area

198,500sq km

land: 191,300 sq kmwater: 7,200 sq kmslightly smaller than South Dakota

Coastline

0km

(landlocked)Maritime claims: none (landlocked)

Highest point

7,439m

Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy)lowest point: Kara-Darya 132 m

Land boundaries

3,878km

border countries: China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,051 km, Tajikistan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km

Location

Central Asia, west of China

Geographic coordinates

41 00 N, 75 00 E

Map references

Commonwealth of Independent States

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

Natural resources

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

Natural hazards

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:: Biodiversity, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes
signed, but not ratified:: none of the selected agreements

Geography-note

landlocked

People

15 fields

Population

4,522,281

(July 1998 est.)growth rate: 0.37% (1998 est.)

Per 1,000 population(1998 est.)

Birth

22.03Death

8.65Net migration

-9.72

Male · female

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years (1998 est.)63.77

59.45 · 68.3

TotalMale · femaleLiteracy (1989 est.)97%

99% · 96%

MaleFemaleLiteracy definition: age 15 and over can read and write

Ethnic groups

Kirghiz 52.4%Russian 18%Uzbek 12.9%Ukrainian 2.5%German 2.4%other 11.8%

Religions

Muslim 75%Russian Orthodox 20%other 5%

Age structure

0-14 years:: 36% (male 817,229; female 800,248)
15-64 years:: 58% (male 1,285,520; female 1,337,259)
65 years and over:: 6% (male 104,105; female 177,920) (July 1998 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth:: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years:: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years:: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over:: 0.58 male(s)/female (1998 est.)

Infant mortality rate

74.76 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.68 children born/woman (1998 est.)

Nationality

noun:: Kyrgyzstani(s)
adjective:: Kyrgyzstani

Languages

Kirghiz (Kyrgyz)-official language, Russian-official language note: in March 1996, the Kyrgyzstani legislature amended the constitution to make Russian an official language, along with Kirghiz, in territories and work places where Russian-speaking citizens predominate

Government

Republic; President Askar AKAYEV (since 28 October 1990); Prime Minister Kubanychbek JUMALIYEV (since 25 March 1998)

21 fields

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

Data code

Government type

republic

National capital

Bishkek

Administrative divisions

6 oblasttar (singular-oblast) and 1 city* (singular-shaar);
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

National Day, 2 December; Independence Day, 31 August (1991)

Constitution

adopted 5 May 1993 note: amendment proposed by President AKAYEV and passed in a national referendum on 10 February 1996 significantly expands the powers of the president at the expense of the legislature

Legal system

based on civil law system

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state:: President Askar AKAYEV (since 28 October 1990)
head of government:: Prime Minister Kubanychbek JUMALIYEV (since 25 March 1998)
cabinet:: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister
elections:: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
elections last held 24 December 1995 (next to be held NA 2000);
prime minister appointed by the president
election results:: Askar AKAYEV elected president;
percent of vote-Askar AKAYEV 75%;
note-elections were held early which gave the two opposition candidates little time to campaign;
AKAYEV may have orchestrated the "deregistration" of two other candidates, one of whom was a major rival

Legislative branch

bicameral Supreme Council or Zhogorku Kenesh consists of the Assembly of People's Representatives (70 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Legislative Assembly (35 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections:: Assembly of People's Representatives-last held 5 February 1995 (next to be held NA 2000);
Legislative Assembly-last held 5 February 1995 (next to be held NA 2000)
election results:: Assembly of People's Representatives-percent of vote by party-NA;
seats by party-NA;
note-not all of the 70 seats were filled at the 5 February 1995 elections;
as a result, run-off elections were held at later dates;
the assembly meets twice yearly;
Legislative Assembly-percent of vote by party - NA;
seats by party-NA;
note-not all of the 35 seats were filled at the 5 February 1995 elections;
as a result, run-off elections were held

note: the legislature became bicameral for the 5 February 1995 elections

Judicial branch

Supreme Court, judges are appointed for a 10-year term by the Supreme Council on recommendation of the president;
Constitutional Court;
Higher Court of Arbitration

Political parties and leaders

Social Democratic Party or PSD [Zh. IBRAMOV];
Democratic Movement of Kyrgyzstan or DDK [Jypar JEKSHEYEV, chairman];
National Unity Democratic Movement or DDNE [Yury RAZGULYAYEV];
Communist Party of Kyrgyzstan or PKK [Absamat MASALIYEV, chairman];
Kyrgyzstan Erkin Party (Democratic Movement of Free Kyrgyzstan) or ErK [Tursunbay Bakir UULU];
Republican Popular Party of Kyrgyzstan [Zh. SHARSHENALIYEV];
Agrarian Party of Kyrgyzstan [A. ALIYEV];
Fatherland or Alta Mekel Party [Omurbek TEKEBAYEV];
Banner National Rivival Party or ASABA [Chaprashty BAZARBAY];
Movement for the People's Salvation [Djumgalbek AMAMBAYEV];
Mutual Help Movement or Ashar [Zhumagazy USUPOV];
Peasant Party;
Agrarian Party

Political pressure groups and leaders

National Unity Democratic Movement;
Council of Free Trade Unions;
Union of Entrepreneurs;
Kyrgyz Committee on Human Rights [Ramazan DYRYIDAYEV]

International organization participation

AsDB, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, OIC, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission:: Ambassador Bakyt ABDRISAYEV
chancery:: 1732 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone:: [1] (202) 338-5141

FAX

[1] (202) 338-5139

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission:: Ambassador Anne SIGMUND
embassy:: Erkindik Prospekt #66, Bishkek 720002
mailing address:: use embassy street address
telephone:: [7] (3312) 22-29-21, 22-27-77, 22-26-31, 22-24-73

FAX

[7] (3312) 22-35-51

Flag description

red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40 rays representing the 40 Kirghiz 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 Kirghiz yurt

Economy

Kyrgyzstan is a small, poor, mountainous country | with a predominantly agricultural economy.

28 fields

GDP, purchasing power parity

-$9.7billion

purchasing power parity · (1997 est.)

GDP per capita, PPP

-$2,100

purchasing power parity · (1997 est.)

Real growth rate

10%

(1997 est.)industrial production growth: 10.8% (1996 est.)

Inflation, consumer prices

15%

(1997 est.)

GDP-composition by sector(1996 est.)

agriculture 47%industry 12%services 41% (1996 est.)

Budget

Revenues

$225 millionExpenditures

$308 million (1996 est.)

expenditures including capital expenditures of $11 million

Fixed lines

342,000

(1991 est.)

Economy-overview

Kyrgyzstan is a small, poor, mountainous country with a predominantly agricultural economy. Cotton, wool, and meat are the main agricultural products and exports. Industrial exports include gold, mercury, uranium, and hydropower. Kyrgyzstan has been one of the most progressive countries of the former Soviet Union in carrying out market reforms.

Following a successful stabilization program, which lowered inflation from 88% in 1994 to 15% for 1997, attention is turning toward stimulating growth. Much of the government's stock in enterprises has been sold. Drops in production have been severe since the breakup of the Soviet Union in December 1991, but by mid-1995 production began to recover and exports began to increase.

Pensioners, unemployed workers, and government workers with salary arrears continue to suffer. Foreign assistance played a substantial role in the country's economic turnaround in 1996-97.

Labor force

total:: 1.7 million
by occupation:: agriculture and forestry 40%, industry and construction 19%, other 41% (1995 est.)

Unemployment rate

8% (December 1996 est.)

Industries

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

Electricity-capacity

3.632 million kW (1995)

Electricity-production

13.7 billion kWh (1996 est.)

Electricity-consumption per capita

2,090 kWh (1995)

Agriculture-products

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

Exports

total value:: $506 million (1996)
commodities:: cotton, wool, meat, tobacco;
gold, mercury, uranium, hydropower;
machinery;
shoes
partners:: China, UK, FSU

Imports

total value:: $890 million (1996)
commodities:: grain, lumber, industrial products, ferrous metals, fuel, machinery, textiles, footwear
partners:: Turkey, Cuba, US, Germany

Debt-external

$746 million (1996)

Economic aid

recipient: ODA, $56 million (1993) note: commitments, 1992-95, $1,695 million ($390 million disbursements)

Currency

1 Kyrgyzstani som (KGS) = 100 tyiyn

Exchange rates

soms (KGS) per US$1-14.6 (January 1997), 11.2 (yearend 1995), 10.6 (yearend 1994)

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications

Telephone system

poorly developed; about 100,000 unsatisfied applications for household telephones

domestic:: principally microwave radio relay
international:: 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

Radio broadcast stations

1 state-run radio broadcast station

Radios

825,000 (radio receiver systems with multiple speakers for program diffusion 748,000)

Television broadcast stations

1 note: receives Turkish broadcasts

Televisions

875,000

Transportation

8 fields

Airports by runway lengthpaved only

under 914 m

over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9

Airports by runway lengthunpaved only

under 914 m

total: 40 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4

Networkskm

Highways

18,500Railways

370Waterways

600 (1990)

Highways: paved: 16,854 km (including 140 km of expressways) · unpaved: 1,646 km (1996 est.) · Railways: ; does not include industrial lines · broad gauge: 370 km 1.520-m gauge (1990)

Railways

total:: 370 km in common carrier service; does not include industrial lines
broad gauge:: 370 km 1.520-m gauge (1990)

Highways

total:: 18,500 km
paved:: 16,854 km (including 140 km of expressways)
unpaved:: 1,646 km (1996 est.)

Pipelines

natural gas 200 km

Ports and harbors

Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye)

Airports

54 (1994 est.)

Military

Army, National Guard, Security Forces (internal and | border troops), Civil Defense | note: border troops controlled by Russia

7 fields

Transnational Issues

2 fields

Disputes-international

territorial dispute with Tajikistan on southwestern boundary in Isfara Valley area

Illicit drugs

limited illicit cultivator of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for CIS consumption;
limited government eradication program;
increasingly used as transshipment point for illicit drugs to Russia and Western Europe from Southwest Asia LAOS

Central Intelligence Agency. “Kyrgyzstan.” The World Factbook 1998. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/kyrgyzstan/1998.

How to cite ← 1997 edition 1999 edition →