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Central Asia :: Kyrgyzstan

- ## Introduction :: KYRGYZSTAN

- Background:
  A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions, most of Kyrgyzstan was formally annexed to Russia 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, and terrorism.

- ## Geography :: KYRGYZSTAN

- Location:
  Central Asia, west of China, south of Kazakhstan
  Geographic coordinates:
  41 00 N, 75 00 E
  Map references:
  Asia
  Area:
  total: 199,951 sq km
  land: 191,801 sq km
  water: 8,150 sq km
  country comparison to the world: 87
  Area - comparative:
  slightly smaller than South Dakota
  Land boundaries:
  total: 4,573 km
  border countries (4): China 1,063 km, Kazakhstan 1,212 km, Tajikistan 984 km, Uzbekistan 1,314 km
  Coastline:
  0 km (landlocked)
  Maritime claims:
  none (landlocked)
  Climate:
  dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan Mountains; subtropical in southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone
  Terrain:
  peaks of the Tien Shan mountain range and associated valleys and basins encompass the entire country
  Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: Kara-Daryya (Karadar'ya) 132 m
  highest point: Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m
  Natural resources:
  abundant hydropower; gold, rare earth metals; locally exploitable coal, oil, and natural gas; other deposits of nepheline, mercury, bismuth, lead, and zinc
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 55.4%
  arable land 6.7%; permanent crops 0.4%; permanent pasture 48.3%
  forest: 5.1%
  other: 39.5% (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  10,210 sq km (2005)
  Total renewable water resources:
  23.62 cu km (2011)
  Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
  total: 8.01 cu km/yr (3%/4%/93%)
  per capita: 1,558 cu m/yr (2006)
  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, Wetlands
  signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
  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

- ## People and Society :: KYRGYZSTAN

- Nationality:
  noun: Kyrgyzstani(s)
  adjective: Kyrgyzstani
  Ethnic groups:
  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.)
  Languages:
  Kyrgyz (official) 71.4%, Uzbek 14.4%, Russian (official) 9%, other 5.2% (2009 est.)
  Religions:
  Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5%
  Population:
  5,664,939 (July 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 114
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 29.92% (male 867,668/female 827,235)
  15-24 years: 18.18% (male 523,347/female 506,453)
  25-54 years: 39.55% (male 1,096,430/female 1,144,265)
  55-64 years: 7.34% (male 180,874/female 234,733)
  65 years and over: 5.01% (male 108,776/female 175,158) (2015 est.)
  population pyramid:
  Dependency ratios:
  total dependency ratio: 55.3%
  youth dependency ratio: 48.8%
  elderly dependency ratio: 6.6%
  potential support ratio: 15.2% (2015 est.)
  Median age:
  total: 26 years
  male: 25 years
  female: 27 years (2015 est.)
  Population growth rate:
  1.11% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 109
  Birth rate:
  22.98 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 68
  Death rate:
  6.65 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 142
  Net migration rate:
  -5.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 194
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 35.7% of total population (2015)
  rate of urbanization: 1.58% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  BISHKEK (capital) 865,000 (2015)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
  0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
  15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
  25-54 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
  55-64 years: 0.77 male(s)/female
  65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female
  total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 27.73 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 31.94 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 23.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 67
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 70.36 years
  male: 66.19 years
  female: 74.8 years (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 155
  Total fertility rate:
  2.66 children born/woman (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 73
  Contraceptive prevalence rate:
  36.3% (2012)
  Health expenditures:
  6.7% of GDP (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 77
  Physicians density:
  1.97 physicians/1,000 population (2013)
  Hospital bed density:
  4.8 beds/1,000 population (2012)
  Drinking water source:
  improved:
  urban: 96.7% of population
  rural: 86.2% of population
  total: 90% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 3.3% of population
  rural: 13.8% of population
  total: 10% of population (2015 est.)
  Sanitation facility access:
  improved:
  urban: 89.1% of population
  rural: 95.6% of population
  total: 93.3% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 10.9% of population
  rural: 4.4% of population
  total: 6.7% of population (2015 est.)
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  0.26% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 92
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  9,300 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 95
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  400 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 95
  Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
  13.3% (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 118
  Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
  2.8% (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 101
  Education expenditures:
  6.8% of GDP (2011)
  country comparison to the world: 25
  Literacy:
  definition: age 15 and over can read and write
  total population: 99.5%
  male: 99.6%
  female: 99.4% (2015 est.)
  School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
  total: 13 years
  male: 12 years
  female: 13 years (2011)
  Child labor - children ages 5-14:
  total number: 563,920
  percentage: 40.3%
  note: data represents children ages 5-17 (2007 est.)
  Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
  total: 14.6%
  male: 13.6%
  female: 16.2% (2006 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 80

- ## Government :: KYRGYZSTAN

- Country name:
  conventional long form: Kyrgyz Republic
  conventional short form: Kyrgyzstan
  local long form: Kyrgyz Respublikasy
  local short form: Kyrgyzstan
  former: Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic
  Government type:
  republic
  Capital:
  name: Bishkek
  geographic coordinates: 42 52 N, 74 36 E
  time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
  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 have the administrative center name following in parentheses)
  Independence:
  31 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
  National holiday:
  Independence Day, 31 August (1991)
  Constitution:
  previous 1993; latest adopted 27 June 2010, effective 2 July 2010 (2010)
  Legal system:
  civil law system which includes features of French civil law and Russian Federation laws
  International law organization participation:
  has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
  Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
  Executive branch:
  chief of state: President Almazbek ATAMBAEV (since 1 December 2011)
  head of government: Prime Minister Temir SARIYEV (since 1 May 2015); First Deputy Prime Minister Tayyrbek SARPASHEV (since 2 April 2014); Deputy Prime Ministers Valeriy DIL (since 2 April 2014), Abdyrakhman MAMATALIEV (since 2 April 2014), Damira NIYAZALIEVA (since 26 December 2014)
  cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, appointed by the president; defense and security ministers appointed by the president
  elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a single 6-year term; election last held on 30 October 2011 (next to be held in 2017); prime minister nominated by the majority party or majority coalition in the Supreme Council, appointed by the president
  election results: Almazbek ATAMBAEV elected president; percent of vote - Almazbek ATAMBAEV (SDPK) 63.2%, Adakhan MADUMAROV (All Kyrgyzstan) 14.7%, Kamchybek TASHIEV (Homeland) 14.3%, other 7.8%; Temir SARIYEV elected prime minister; Supreme Council vote - 97 to 2
  Legislative branch:
  description: unicameral Supreme Council or Jogorku Kengesh (120 seats; members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms)
  elections: last held on 10 October 2010 (next to be held in 2015)
  election results: Supreme Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Ata-Jurt 28, SDPK 26, Ar-Namys 25, Respublika 23, Ata-Meken 18
  Judicial branch:
  highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of 25 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 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
  Political parties and leaders:
  Ar-Namys (Dignity) Party [Feliks KULOV]
  Ata-Jurt (Homeland) [Kamchybek TASHIEV, Akhmat KELDIBEKOV, Sadyr JAPAROV]
  Ata-Meken (Fatherland) [Omurbek TEKEBAEV]
  Butun Kyrgyzstan (All Kyrgyzstan) [Adakhan MADUMAROV]
  Respublika [Omurbek BABANOV]
  Social-Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan (SDPK) [Almazbek ATAMBAEV]
  Political pressure groups and leaders:
  Adilet (Justice) Legal Clinic [Cholpon JAKUPOVA]
  Citizens Against Corruption [Tolekan ISMAILOVA]
  Coalition for Democracy and Civil Society [Dinara OSHURAKHUNOVA]
  Kylym Shamy (Torch of the Century) [Aziza ABDIRASULOVA]
  Precedent Partnership Group [Nurbek TOKTAKUNOV]
  Societal Analysis Public Association [Rita KARASARTOVA]
  Union of True Muslims [Nurlan MOTUEV]
  International organization participation:
  ADB, CICA, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, 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
  Diplomatic representation in the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Kadyr TOKTOGULOV (since 23 February 2015)
  chancery: 2360 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008
  telephone: [1] (202) 449-9822-23
  FAX: [1] (202) 386-7550
  consulate(s): New York
  Diplomatic representation from the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Richard MILES
  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 a "tunduk" - the crown of a traditional Kyrgyz yurt; red symbolizes bravery and valor, the sun evinces peace and wealth
  National symbol(s):
  gyrfalcon; national colors: red, yellow
  National anthem:
  name: "Kyrgyz Respublikasynyn Mamlekettik Gimni" (National Anthem of the Kyrgyz Republic)
  lyrics/music: Djamil SADYKOV and Eshmambet KULUEV/Nasyr DAVLESOV and Kalyi MOLDOBASANOV
  note: adopted 1992

- ## Economy :: KYRGYZSTAN

- Economy - overview:
  Kyrgyzstan is a poor, mountainous country with an economy dominated by agriculture and minerals extraction. Cotton, tobacco, wool, and meat are the main agricultural products, although only tobacco and cotton are exported in any quantity. Other exports include gold, mercury, uranium, natural gas, and—in some years—electricity. Bishkek remains embroiled in a legal battle with Canadian investors in the Kumtor gold mine, the nation’s largest. Kyrgyzstan has sought foreign investment to develop hydroelectric potential as a source of export revenue. The economy also depends heavily on remittances from Kyrgyzstani migrant workers, primarily in Russia. Following independence, Kyrgyzstan rapidly carried out market reforms, such as improving the regulatory system and instituting land reform. Kyrgyzstan was the first Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) country to be accepted into the World Trade Organization. The government has sold much of its ownership shares in enterprises. 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. The overthrow of President BAKIEV in April 2010 and subsequent ethnic clashes left hundreds dead and damaged infrastructure. Under President ATAMBAEV, Kyrgyzstan has developed a plan for economic development in coordination with international donors. In December 2014 Kyrgyzstan agreed to join the Eurasian Economic Union in early 2015. The keys to future growth include progress in fighting corruption, improving administrative transparency, restructuring domestic industry, and attracting foreign aid and investment.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $19.16 billion (2014 est.)
  $18.49 billion (2013 est.)
  $16.73 billion (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 143
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $7.402 billion (2014 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  3.6% (2014 est.)
  10.5% (2013 est.)
  -0.9% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 67
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $3,400 (2014 est.)
  $3,200 (2013 est.)
  $2,900 (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 181
  Gross national saving:
  13.3% of GDP (2014 est.)
  11.1% of GDP (2013 est.)
  10.5% of GDP (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 130
  GDP - composition, by end use:
  household consumption: 103.2%
  government consumption: 16.6%
  investment in fixed capital: 29.1%
  investment in inventories: 1.8%
  exports of goods and services: 48.1%
  imports of goods and services: -98.8%
  (2014 est.)
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 19.3%
  industry: 31.1%
  services: 49.6% (2014 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:
  6.5% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 32
  Labor force:
  2.615 million (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 112
  Labor force - by occupation:
  agriculture: 48%
  industry: 12.5%
  services: 39.5% (2005 est.)
  Unemployment rate:
  7.6% (2014 est.)
  18% (2004 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 96
  Population below poverty line:
  33.7% (2011 est.)
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: 2.8%
  highest 10%: 27.8% (2009 est.)
  Distribution of family income - Gini index:
  33.4 (2007)
  29 (2001)
  country comparison to the world: 100
  Budget:
  revenues: $2.036 billion
  expenditures: $2.214 billion (2014 est.)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  26.6% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 109
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  -2.3% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 92
  Fiscal year:
  calendar year
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  7.5% (2014 est.)
  6.6% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 199
  Central bank discount rate:
  13.73% (22 December 2011)
  2.5% (31 December 2010)
  country comparison to the world: 12
  Commercial bank prime lending rate:
  24% (31 December 2014 est.)
  20.93% (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 9
  Stock of narrow money:
  $1.563 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $1.474 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 141
  Stock of broad money:
  $2.02 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $1.847 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 153
  Stock of domestic credit:
  $1.152 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $1.052 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 154
  Market value of publicly traded shares:
  $165 million (31 December 2012 est.)
  $165 million (31 December 2011)
  $79 million (31 December 2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 118
  Current account balance:
  -$1.013 billion (2014 est.)
  -$1.771 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 143
  Exports:
  $2.009 billion (2014 est.)
  $2.048 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 147
  Exports - commodities:
  gold, cotton, wool, garments, meat, tobacco; mercury, uranium, electricity; machinery; shoes
  Exports - partners:
  Uzbekistan 29.3%, Kazakhstan 28.5%, UAE 6.6%, Russia 5.9%, Afghanistan 5.8%, Turkey 5.3% (2014)
  Imports:
  $5.537 billion (2014 est.)
  $5.614 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 124
  Imports - commodities:
  oil and gas, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs
  Imports - partners:
  China 54.4%, Russia 18.1%, Kazakhstan 7.8%, Turkey 4.4% (2014)
  Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
  $2.184 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $2.238 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 119
  Debt - external:
  $6.819 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $6.376 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 119
  Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
  $3.337 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $3.017 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 99
  Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
  $748.4 million (31 December 2014 est.)
  $748.4 million (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 82
  Exchange rates:
  soms (KGS) per US dollar -
  52.66 (2014 est.)
  48.438 (2013 est.)
  47.01 (2012 est.)
  46.144 (2011 est.)
  45.964 (2010 est.)

- ## Energy :: KYRGYZSTAN

- Electricity - production:
  14.96 billion kWh (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 83
  Electricity - consumption:
  8.851 billion kWh (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 92
  Electricity - exports:
  2.795 billion kWh (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 38
  Electricity - imports:
  0 kWh (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 163
  Electricity - installed generating capacity:
  3.766 million kW (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 83
  Electricity - from fossil fuels:
  21.1% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 191
  Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
  0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 118
  Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
  78.9% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 15
  Electricity - from other renewable sources:
  0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 188
  Crude oil - production:
  1,000 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 102
  Crude oil - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 137
  Crude oil - imports:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 204
  Crude oil - proved reserves:
  40 million bbl (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 81
  Refined petroleum products - production:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 158
  Refined petroleum products - consumption:
  35,090 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 111
  Refined petroleum products - exports:
  2,433 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 99
  Refined petroleum products - imports:
  35,040 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 86
  Natural gas - production:
  8.666 million cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 92
  Natural gas - consumption:
  428.7 million cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 101
  Natural gas - exports:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 124
  Natural gas - imports:
  420 million cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 68
  Natural gas - proved reserves:
  5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 93
  Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
  9.278 million Mt (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 105

- ## Communications :: KYRGYZSTAN

- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total subscriptions: 440,000
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 8 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 100
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  total: 7.6 million
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 135 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 101
  Telephone system:
  general assessment: telecommunications infrastructure is being upgraded; loans from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) are being used to install a digital network, digital radio-relay stations, and fiber-optic links
  domestic: fixed-line penetration remains low and concentrated in urban areas; multiple mobile-cellular service providers with growing coverage; mobile-cellular subscribership was about 115 per 100 persons in 2011
  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 - 2 (1 Intersputnik, 1 Intelsat); connected internationally by the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line (2011)
  Broadcast media:
  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)
  Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 3 (plus 10 repeater stations), FM 23, shortwave 2 (2009)
  Television broadcast stations:
  8 (2 countrywide and 6 regional stations; state-owned); note - there are about 20 private TV stations, most of which rebroadcast other channels (2007)
  Internet country code:
  .kg
  Internet users:
  total: 1.4 million
  percent of population: 24.2% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 113

- ## Transportation :: KYRGYZSTAN

- Airports:
  28 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 122
  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 (2013)
  Airports - with unpaved runways:
  total: 10
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
  914 to 1,523 m: 1
  under 914 m:
  8 (2013)
  Pipelines:
  gas 480 km; oil 16 km (2013)
  Railways:
  total: 470 km
  broad gauge: 470 km 1.520-m gauge (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 113
  Roadways:
  total: 34,000 km (2007)
  country comparison to the world: 94
  Waterways:
  600 km (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 78
  Ports and terminals:
  lake port(s): Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye)(Lake Ysyk-Kol)

- ## Military :: KYRGYZSTAN

- Military branches:
  Ground Forces, Air Force (includes Air Defense Forces) (2013)
  Military service age and obligation:
  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 callup mobilization reserve; women may volunteer at age 19; 16-17 years of age for military cadets, who cannot take part in military operations (2013)
  Manpower available for military service:
  males age 16-49: 1,456,881
  females age 16-49: 1,470,317 (2010 est.)
  Manpower fit for military service:
  males age 16-49: 1,119,224
  females age 16-49: 1,257,263 (2010 est.)
  Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
  male: 56,606
  female: 54,056 (2010 est.)
  Military expenditures:
  NA% (2012)
  3.74% of GDP (2011)
  NA% (2010)

- ## Transnational Issues :: KYRGYZSTAN

- Disputes - international:
  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
  Refugees and internally displaced persons:
  stateless persons: 12,133 (2014); note - most stateless people were born in Kyrgystan, have lived there many years, or are married to a Kyrgyz citizen; in 2009, Kyrgyzstan adopted a national action plan to speed up the exchange of old Soviet passports for Kyrgyz ones; stateless people are unable to register marriages and births, to travel within the country or abroad, to own property, or to receive social benefits
  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; major consumer of opiates

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