A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions, most of the territory of present-day Kyrgyzstan 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. Kyrgyzstan became a Soviet republic in 1936 and achieved independence in 1991 when the USSR dissolved. Nationwide demonstrations in the spring of 2005 resulted in the ouster of President Askar AKAEV, who had run the country since 1990. Former Prime Minister Kurmanbek BAKIEV overwhelmingly won the presidential election in the summer of 2005. Over the next few years, he manipulated the parliament to accrue new powers for the presidency. In July 2009, after months of harassment against his opponents and media critics, BAKIEV won reelection in a presidential campaign that the international community deemed flawed. In April 2010, violent protests in Bishkek led to the collapse of the BAKIEV regime and his eventual flight to Minsk, Belarus. His successor, Roza OTUNBAEVA, served as transitional president until Almazbek ATAMBAEV was inaugurated in December 2011, marking the first peaceful transfer of presidential power in independent Kyrgyzstan's history. Continuing concerns include: the trajectory of democratization, endemic corruption, poor interethnic relations, border security vulnerabilities, and potential terrorist threats.

Under the 2010 Constitution, ATAMBAEV is limited to one term, which will end in 2017. Constitutional amendments passed in a referendum in December 2016 include language that transfers some presidential powers to the prime minister. Disagreement over the constitutional amendments compelled ATAMBAEV’s Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan to dissolve the ruling coalition and create a new majority coalition in the Jogorku Kenesh that excluded opposition parties critical of the amendments.

Central Asia, west of China, south of Kazakhstan

41 00 N, 75 00 E

Asia

slightly smaller than South Dakota

0 km (landlocked)

none (landlocked)

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

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

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

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

arable land 6.7%; permanent crops 0.4%; permanent pasture 48.3%

10,233 sq km (2012)

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

major flooding during snow melt; prone to earthquakes

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

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

5,789,122 (July 2017 est.)

Kyrgyz 70.9%, Uzbek 14.3%, Russian 7.7%, Dungan 1.1%, other 5.9% (includes Uyghur, Tajik, Turk, Kazakh, Tatar, Ukrainian, Korean, German) (2009 est.)

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

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

1.05% (2017 est.)

22.1 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

6.5 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

-5.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

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

BISHKEK (capital) 865,000 (2015)

23.2 years (2014 est.)

76 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

2.61 children born/woman (2017 est.)

42% (2014)

6.5% of GDP (2014)

1.85 physicians/1,000 population (2014)

4.8 beds/1,000 population (2012)

urban: 96.7% of population

rural: 86.2% of population

total: 90% of population

urban: 3.3% of population

rural: 13.8% of population

total: 10% of population (2015 est.)

urban: 89.1% of population

rural: 95.6% of population

total: 93.3% of population

urban: 10.9% of population

rural: 4.4% of population

total: 6.7% of population (2015 est.)

0.2% (2016 est.)

8,500 (2016 est.)

<500 (2016 est.)

16.6% (2016)

2.8% (2014)

5.5% of GDP (2014)

parliamentary republic

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)

31 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

Independence Day, 31 August (1991)

civil law system, which includes features of French civil law and Russian Federation laws

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

18 years of age; universal

Akshumkar (White Falcon) [Temir SARIYEV]

Ata-Jurt (Homeland) [Kamchybek TASHIEV]

Ata-Meken (Fatherland) [Omurbek TEKEBAEV]

Bir Bol (Stay United) [Altynbek SULAIMANOV]

Kyrgyzstan Party [Almazbek BATYRBEKOV]

Onuguu-Progress [Bakyt TOROBAEV]

Respublika (Republic) [Omurbek BABANOV]

Respublika-Ata-Jurt (Republic-Homeland) [Omurbek BABANOV] (parliamentary faction)

Social-Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan or SDPK [Isa OMURKULOV]

United Kyrgyzstan [Adakhan MADUMAROV]

Adilet (Justice) Legal Clinic [Cholpon JAKUPOVA]

Bir Duino [Tolekan ISMAILOVA] (formerly Citizens Against Corruption)

Coalition for Democracy and Civil Society [Azamat ADILOV]

Kylym Shamy (Torch of the Century) [Aziza ABDIRASULOVA] (human rights)

Precedent Partnership Group [Nurbek TOKTAKUNOV]

Societal Analysis Public Association [Rita KARASARTOVA]

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

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

gyrfalcon; national colors: red, yellow

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 over 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, declining oil prices, and regional economic headwinds have damaged economies across Central Asia. The Kyrgyz government remains dependent on foreign donor support to finance its annual budget deficit of approximately 4 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. While joining the EAEU has increased Kyrgyz labor mobility within member states, large-scale trade and investment pledged by Kyrgyz leaders has been slow in developing since accession. Kyrgyz entrepreneurs and politicians alike often contend that non-tariff measures imposed by other EAEU member states, particularly Kazakhstan, are negatively impacting sectors of the Kyrgyz economy that enjoy a comparative advantage, such as meat and dairy production. Since acceding to the EAEU, the Kyrgyz Republic has continued harmonizing its laws and regulations to conform to EAEU standards, though many local entrepreneurs have criticized this process as disjointed and incomplete. The keys to future growth include progress in fighting corruption, improving administrative transparency, restructuring and diversifying domestic industries, and attracting foreign aid and investment.

$21.5 billion (2016 est.)

$20.46 billion (2015 est.)

$19.56 billion (2014 est.)

$6.551 billion (2016 est.)

3.8% (2016 est.)

3.5% (2015 est.)

4% (2014 est.)

$3,500 (2016 est.)

$3,400 (2015 est.)

$3,400 (2014 est.)

23.8% of GDP (2016 est.)

18.3% of GDP (2015 est.)

20.4% of GDP (2014 est.)

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

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

5.9% (2016 est.)

2.787 million (2016 est.)

7.5% (2016 est.)

7.6% (2015 est.)

32.1% (2015 est.)

33.4 (2007)

29 (2001)

28.5% of GDP (2016 est.)

-4.6% of GDP (2016 est.)

58.5% of GDP (2016 est.)

64.9% of GDP (2015 est.)

calendar year

0.4% (2016 est.)

6.5% (2015 est.)

5% (31 December 2016)

8% (31 December 2015)

22.23% (31 December 2016 est.)

24.25% (31 December 2015 est.)

$1.411 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$928.2 million (31 December 2015 est.)

$1.667 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$1.084 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

$1.444 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$993.4 million (31 December 2015 est.)

$165 million (31 December 2012 est.)

$165 million (31 December 2011 est.)

$79 million (31 December 2010 est.)

$-633 million (2016 est.)

$-1.052 billion (2015 est.)

$1.544 billion (2016 est.)

$1.571 billion (2015 est.)

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

Switzerland 44.9%, Kazakhstan 10.5%, Russia 10.1%, Uzbekistan 8.7%, Turkey 6.2%, China 5.5% (2016)

$3.644 billion (2016 est.)

$3.791 billion (2015 est.)

oil and gas, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs

China 37.8%, Russia 20.7%, Kazakhstan 16.4%, Turkey 4.9% (2016)

$1.97 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$1.778 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

$8.182 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$7.504 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

$5.21 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$4.748 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

$655.5 million (31 December 2016 est.)

$629.3 million (31 December 2015 est.)

soms (KGS) per US dollar -

69.914 (2016 est.)

69.914 (2015 est.)

64.462 (2014 est.)

53.654 (2013 est.)

47.01 (2012 est.)

12.8 billion kWh (2015 est.)

10.68 billion kWh (2015 est.)

184 million kWh (2015 est.)

729 million kWh (2015 est.)

3.89 million kW (2015 est.)

20.6% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

79.4% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

1,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

19.65 bbl/day (2014 est.)

100 bbl/day (2014 est.)

40 million bbl (1 January 2017 es)

1,776 bbl/day (2014 est.)

33,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

2,698 bbl/day (2014 est.)

31,960 bbl/day (2014 est.)

30 million cu m (2015 est.)

773 million cu m (2015 est.)

0 cu m (2013 est.)

160 million cu m (2015 est.)

5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2017 es)

9.4 million Mt (2013 est.)

state-run TV broadcaster operates 2 nationwide networks and 6 regional stations; roughly 20 private TV stations operating with most rebroadcasting other channels; state-run radio broadcaster operates 2 networks; about 20 private radio stations (2007)

.kg

EX (2016)

28 (2013)

gas 480 km; oil 16 km (2013)

600 km (2010)

3.15% of GDP (2016)

3.45% of GDP (2015)

3.38% of GDP (2014)

3.2% of GDP (2013)

3.21% of GDP (2012)

State Committee on Defense Affairs (GKDO): Ground Forces, Air Force (includes Air Defense Forces) (2015)

18-27 years of age for compulsory or voluntary male military service in the Armed Forces or Interior Ministry; 1-year service obligation, 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)

Kyrgyzstan has yet to ratify the 2001 boundary delimitation with Kazakhstan; disputes in Isfara Valley delay completion of delimitation with Tajikistan; delimitation of 130 km of border with Uzbekistan is hampered by serious disputes over enclaves and other areas

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