Kyrgyzstan

Background

Kyrgyzstan is a Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions. The Russian Empire annexed most of the territory of present-day Kyrgyzstan in 1876. The Kyrgyz staged a major revolt against the Tsarist Empire in 1916, during which almost one-sixth of the Kyrgyz population was killed. Kyrgyzstan became a Soviet republic in 1926 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. Almazbek ATAMBAEV was sworn in as president in 2011. In 2017, ATAMBAEV became the first Kyrgyzstani president to serve a full term and respect constitutional term limits, voluntarily stepping down at the end of his mandate. Former prime minister and ruling Social-Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan member Sooronbay JEENBEKOV replaced him after winning the 2017 presidential election, which was the most competitive in the country’s history despite reported cases of vote buying and abuse of public resources.

In 2020, protests against parliamentary election results spread across Kyrgyzstan, leading to JEENBEKOV’s resignation and catapulting previously imprisoned Sadyr JAPAROV to acting president. In 2021, Kyrgyzstanis formally elected JAPAROV as president and approved a referendum to move Kyrgyzstan from a parliamentary to a presidential system. In 2021, Kyrgyzstanis voted in favor of constitutional changes that consolidated power in the presidency. Pro-government parties won a majority in the 2021 legislative elections. Continuing concerns for Kyrgyzstan include the trajectory of democratization, endemic corruption, tense regional relations, vulnerabilities due to climate change, border security vulnerabilities, and potential terrorist threats.

Geographic coordinates

41 00 N, 75 00 E

Natural hazards

major flooding during snow melt; prone to earthquakes

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than South Dakota

Climate

dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan Mountains; subtropical in southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Land boundaries

Total: 4,573 km

Border countries (4): China 1,063 km; Kazakhstan 1,212 km; Tajikistan 984 km; Uzbekistan 1,314 km

Land use

Agricultural land: 54% (2022 est.)

Arable land: 6.7% (2022 est.)

Permanent crops: 0.4% (2022 est.)

Permanent pasture: 46.9% (2022 est.)

Forest: 7% (2022 est.)

Other: 38.9% (2022 est.)

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural resources

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

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

Terrain

peaks of the Tien Shan mountain range and associated valleys and basins encompass the entire country

Location

Central Asia, west of China, south of Kazakhstan

Map references

Asia

Irrigated land

10,041 sq km (2022)

Total renewable water resources

23.62 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

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, in the Tien Shan mountains

Elevation

Highest point: Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m

Lowest point: Kara-Daryya (Karadar'ya) 132 m

Mean elevation: 2,988 m

Major watersheds (area sq km)

Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Tarim Basin (1,152,448 sq km), (Aral Sea basin) Amu Darya (534,739 sq km), Syr Darya (782,617 sq km)

Major lakes (area sq km)

Salt water lake(s): Ozero Issyk-Kul 6,240 sq km
Note - second largest saline lake after the Caspian Sea; second highest mountain lake after Lake Titicaca; it is an endorheic mountain basin; although surrounded by snow capped mountains it never freezes

Major rivers (by length in km)

Syr Darya river source (shared with Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan [m]) - 3,078 km

Note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

Area

Total : 199,951 sq km

Land: 191,801 sq km

Water: 8,150 sq km

Age structure

0-14 years: 29.1% (male 922,086/female 873,245)

15-64 years: 64% (male 1,935,200/female 2,013,733)

65 years and over: 6.9% (2024 est.) (male 164,032/female 263,805)

Sex ratio

At birth: 1.07 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female

Total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Literacy

Total population: 99.6%

Male: 99.7%

Female: 99.5% (2018)

Nationality

Noun: Kyrgyzstani(s)

Adjective: Kyrgyzstani

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

Total: 14 years

Male: 13 years

Female: 14 years (2021)

Urbanization

Urban population: 37.8% of total population (2023)

Rate of urbanization: 2.05% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Drinking water source

Improved:

Urban: 100% of population

Rural: 89.9% of population

Total: 93.6% of population

Unimproved:

Urban: 0% of population

Rural: 10.1% of population

Total: 6.4% of population (2020 est.)

Major urban areas - population

1.105 million BISHKEK (capital) (2023)

Physician density

1.85 physicians/1,000 population (2023)

Hospital bed density

4.2 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth

22.6 years (2019 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

39.4% (2018)

Dependency ratios

Total dependency ratio: 56.3 (2024 est.)

Youth dependency ratio: 45.5 (2024 est.)

Elderly dependency ratio: 10.8 (2024 est.)

Potential support ratio: 9.2 (2024 est.)

Sanitation facility access

Improved:

Urban: 100% of population

Rural: 100% of population

Total: 100% of population

Unimproved:

Urban: 0% of population

Rural: 0% of population

Total: 0% of population (2020 est.)

Ethnic groups

Kyrgyz 73.8%, Uzbek 14.8%, Russian 5.1%, Dungan 1.1%, other 5.2% (includes Uyghur, Tajik, Turk, Kazakh, Tatar, Ukrainian, Korean, German) (2021 est.)

Religions

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

Languages

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

Major-language sample(s):
Дүйнөлүк фактылар китеби, негизги маалыматтын маанилүү булагы. (Kyrgyz)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

Health expenditure

5.4% of GDP (2021)

7.6% of national budget (2022 est.)

Child marriage

Women married by age 15: 0.3% (2018)

Women married by age 18: 12.9% (2018)

Gross reproduction rate

1.19 (2024 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

66.2% (2023 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

Total: 6.8% (2024 est.)

Male: 6.3% (2024 est.)

Female: 7.7% (2024 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

Net migration rate

-4.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Median age

Total: 28.3 years (2024 est.)

Male: 26.9 years

Female: 29.8 years

Maternal mortality ratio

50 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.45 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Population

Total: 6,172,101 (2024 est.)

Male: 3,021,318

Female: 3,150,783

Infant mortality rate

Total: 24.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

Male: 28.6 deaths/1,000 live births

Female: 20.2 deaths/1,000 live births

Tobacco use

Total: 26% (2025 est.)

Male: 50.7% (2025 est.)

Female: 3.1% (2025 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

16.6% (2016)

Death rate

6 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Birth rate

18.7 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

1.8% (2018)

Alcohol consumption per capita

Total: 4.02 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Beer: 0.43 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Wine: 0.23 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Spirits: 3.35 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

Total population: 72.9 years (2024 est.)

Male: 68.9 years

Female: 77.2 years

Education expenditure

6.8% of GDP (2023 est.)

19.8% national budget (2023 est.)

Population growth rate

0.79% (2024 est.)

Diplomatic representation from the US

Chief of mission: Ambassador Lesslie VIGUERIE (since 29 December 2022)

Embassy: 171 Prospect Mira, Bishkek 720016

Mailing address: 7040 Bishkek Place, Washington DC 20521-7040

Telephone: [996] (312) 597-000

FAX: [996] (312) 597-744

Email address and website:
ConsularBishkek@state.gov

https://kg.usembassy.gov/

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 show the administrative center name in parentheses

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: The meaning of the name is unknown; the city was founded in 1862 as a Russian settlement on the site of an Uzbek fortress named Bishkek; the Russian version of the name was Pishpek, and the original name only came back into use in 1991

Constitution

History: Previous 1993, 2007, 2010; latest approved by referendum in 2021

Amendment process: 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

Executive branch

Chief of state: President Sadyr JAPAROV (since 28 January 2021)

Head of government: President Adylbek KASYMALIYEV (since 18 December 2024)

Cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president

Election/appointment process: President directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a five-year term (eligible for a second term)

Most recent election date: 10 January 2021

Election results:
2021: Sadyr JAPAROV elected president in first round; percent of vote - Sadyr JAPAROV (Mekenchil) 79.2%, Adakhan MADUMAROV (United Kyrgyzstan) 6.8%, other 14%

2017: Sooronbay JEENBEKOV elected president; Sooronbay JEENBEKOV (Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan) 54.7%, Omurbek BABANOV (independent) 33.8%, Adakhan MADUMAROV (United Kyrgyzstan) 6.6%, other 4.9%

Expected date of next election: 2027

Note: The president is both chief of state and head of government

Flag description

red field with a yellow sun in the center that has 40 rays to represent the Kyrgyz tribes; the rays run counterclockwise on the front of the flag and clockwise on the reverse; in the center of the sun is a red ring crossed by two sets of three lines in a stylized representation of a tunduk, the crown of a traditional Kyrgyz yurt; red stands for bravery and valor, and the sun for peace and wealth

Independence

31 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

Judicial branch

Highest court(s): 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

Legal system

civil law system that includes features of French civil law and Russian Federation laws

Legislative branch

Legislature name: Supreme Council (Jogorku Kenesh)

Legislative structure: Unicameral

Number of seats: 90 (all directly elected)

Electoral system: Proportional representation

Scope of elections: Full renewal

Term in office: 5 years

Most recent election date: 11/28/2021

Parties elected and seats per party: Ata-Jurt Kyrgyzstan (Fatherland) (15); Ishenim (Trust) (12); Yntymak (Harmony) (9); Alyans (Alliance) (7); Butun Kyrgyzstan (United) (6); Yiman Nuru (Ray of Faith) (5); Independents (34)

Percentage of women in chamber: 22.2%

Expected date of next election: November 2026

International organization participation

ADB, CICA, CIS, CSTO, 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

National holiday

Independence Day, 31 August (1991)

Political parties

Afghan's Party
Alliance
Ata-Jurt Kyrgyzstan (Fatherland) or AJK
Cohesion
Ishenim (Trust)
Light of Faith
Mekenchil or the "Patriotic" Political Party
Social Democrats or SDK
United Kyrgyzstan
Yntymak (Unity)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Government type

parliamentary republic

Country name

Conventional long form: Kyrgyz Republic

Conventional short form: Kyrgyzstan

Local long form: Kyrgyz Respublikasy

Local short form: Kyrgyzstan

Etymology: Named for the local Kyrgyz people, with "-stan" coming from the Persian word ostan, meaning "country;" the Kyrgyz name may derive from the Turkic root words kir, or "steppe," and gismek, "to wander;" the name is traditionally said to come from a combination of the Turkic words kyrg (forty) and -is (hundred), based on a tale about two tribes and the number of their tents

Diplomatic representation in the US

Chief of mission: Ambassador Aibek MOLDOGAZIEV (since 25 February 2025)

Chancery: 2360 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

Telephone: [1] (202) 449-9822

FAX: [1] (202) 449-8275

Email address and website:
Kgembassy.usa@mfa.gov.kg

Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in the USA and Canada (mfa.gov.kg)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

National symbol(s)

white falcon

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

National heritage

Total World Heritage Sites: 3 (2 cultural, 1 natural)

Selected World Heritage Site locales: Sulaiman-Too Sacred Mountain (c); Silk Roads: the Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor (c); Western Tien Shan (n)

National color(s)

red, yellow

Population below poverty line

33.3% (2021 est.)

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Household income or consumption by percentage share

Lowest 10%: 4.4% (2022 est.)

Highest 10%: 22% (2022 est.)

note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

Exports - commodities

gold, coal, precious metal ore, refined petroleum, garments (2023)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Exports - partners

Switzerland 30%, Russia 19%, Kazakhstan 14%, UAE 10%, Turkey 8% (2023)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Agricultural products

milk, potatoes, maize, sugar beets, wheat, barley, tomatoes, onions, watermelons, carrots/turnips (2023)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Budget

Revenues: $3.859 billion (2022 est.)

Expenditures: $2.892 billion (2022 est.)

note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Imports - commodities

cars, garments, refined petroleum, fabric, footwear (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Exchange rates

soms (KGS) per US dollar -

Exchange rates:
87.856 (2023 est.)
84.116 (2022 est.)
84.641 (2021 est.)
77.346 (2020 est.)
69.789 (2019 est.)

Industries

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

Economic overview

landlocked, lower-middle-income Central Asian economy; natural resource rich; growing hydroelectricity and tourism; high remittances; corruption limits investment; COVID-19 and political turmoil hurt GDP, limited public revenues, and increased spending

GDP (official exchange rate)

$13.988 billion (2023 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

GDP - composition, by end use

Household consumption: 89.5% (2023 est.)

Government consumption: 16.4% (2023 est.)

Investment in fixed capital: 21.2% (2023 est.)

Investment in inventories: 9.1% (2023 est.)

Exports of goods and services: 39.2% (2023 est.)

Imports of goods and services: -101% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Imports - partners

China 44%, Russia 12%, Kazakhstan 6%, Turkey 6%, Uzbekistan 4% (2023)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Remittances

20.38% of GDP (2023 est.)
26.58% of GDP (2022 est.)
32.56% of GDP (2021 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Labor force

3.192 million (2024 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Debt - external

$3.617 billion (2023 est.)

note: present value of external debt in current US dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$3.237 billion (2023 est.)
$2.799 billion (2022 est.)
$2.983 billion (2021 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Public debt

44% of GDP (2023 est.)

note: central government debt as a % of GDP

Unemployment rate

3.3% (2024 est.)
4% (2023 est.)
4% (2022 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

Taxes and other revenues

21.3% (of GDP) (2023 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$45.461 billion (2023 est.)
$42.826 billion (2022 est.)
$39.302 billion (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

10.8% (2023 est.)
13.9% (2022 est.)
11.9% (2021 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

Current account balance

-$5.18 billion (2022 est.)
-$737.696 million (2021 est.)
$374.257 million (2020 est.)

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Real GDP per capita

$6,400 (2023 est.)
$6,100 (2022 est.)
$5,700 (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

Imports

$10.655 billion (2022 est.)
$5.928 billion (2021 est.)
$4.051 billion (2020 est.)

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports

$3.628 billion (2022 est.)
$3.292 billion (2021 est.)
$2.435 billion (2020 est.)

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Real GDP growth rate

6.15% (2023 est.)
8.97% (2022 est.)
5.51% (2021 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Industrial production growth rate

4.93% (2023 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

Agriculture: 9.7% (2023 est.)

Industry: 22.6% (2023 est.)

Services: 50.8% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Military service age and obligation

18-27 years of age for compulsory or voluntary service for men in the Armed Forces or Interior Ministry; 12-month 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 (2023)

Military expenditures

3% of GDP (2024 est.)
3.5% of GDP (2023 est.)
3% of GDP (2022 est.)
2.8% of GDP (2021 est.)
3% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military and security forces

Armed Forces of the Kyrgyz Republic: Land Forces (Kygyz Army), Air Defense Forces (Kyrgyz Air Force), National Guard of the Armed Forces of the Kyrgyz Republic

Ministry of Internal Affairs: Internal Security Service

State Committee for National Security: Border Guard Service (2025)

Military - note

Kyrgyzstan has been a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) since 1994 and contributes troops to CSTO's rapid reaction force; it also started a relationship with NATO in 1992 and joined NATO's Partnership for Peace program in 1994

The Kyrgyz military’s primary responsibility is defense of the country’s sovereignty and territory, although it also has some internal security duties; elements of the military were called out in 2020 to respond to post-election demonstrations for example, and the National Guard’s missions include counterterrorism, responding to emergencies, and the protection of government facilities; the military also participates in UN and CSTO peacekeeping missions; border disputes with Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, as well as the threat posed by militant Islamic groups, have been particular areas of concern for both the military and internal security forces; the military’s closest security partner is Russia, which provides training and material assistance, and maintains a presence in the country, including an airbase; the military also conducts training with other regional countries such as India, traditionally with a focus on counterterrorism

The Kyrgyz military was formed in 1992 from Soviet Army units then based in Kyrgyzstan following the dissolution of the USSR (2024)

Military and security service personnel strengths

limited available information; estimated 10-15,000 active Armed Forces, including the National Guard (2025)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the Kyrgyz military inventory is comprised almost entirely of Russian and Soviet-era weapons and equipment; in recent years, the military has acquired small amounts of material from other suppliers such as Turkey, which provided unmanned aerial vehicles/drones (2024)

Introduction