Kyrgyzstan

<p>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. <br><br>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.</p>

Land

191,801 sq km

Total

199,951 sq km

Water

8,150 sq km

slightly smaller than South Dakota

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

0 km (landlocked)

Asia

Highest point

Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m

Lowest point

Kara-Daryya (Karadar'ya) 132 m

Mean elevation

2,988 m

41 00 N, 75 00 E

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

10,041 sq km (2022)

Border countries

China 1,063 km; Kazakhstan 1,212 km; Tajikistan 984 km; Uzbekistan 1,314 km

number of neighbors

4

Total

4,573 km

Agricultural land

54% (2023 est.)

Agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 6.7% (2023 est.)

Agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 0.4% (2023 est.)

Agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 46.9% (2023 est.)

arable land

6.71%

Forest

6.5% (2023 est.)

Other

39.4% (2023 est.)

permanent crops

0.4%

Yes

Central Asia, west of China, south of Kazakhstan

Salt water lake(s)

Ozero Issyk-Kul 6,240 sq km<br>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

Syr Darya river source (shared with Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan [m]) - 3,078 km <br><br><strong>note:</strong> [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

Internal (endorheic basin) drainage

Tarim Basin (1,152,448 sq km), <em>(Aral Sea basin)</em> Amu Darya (534,739 sq km), Syr Darya (782,617 sq km)

Google Maps

https://goo.gl/maps/SKG8BSMMQVvxkRkB7

OpenStreetMap

https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/178009

Asia

none (landlocked)

major flooding during snow melt; prone to earthquakes

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

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

Central Asia

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

UTC+06:00

number of time zones

1

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)

Beer

0.43 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Other alcohols

0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Spirits

3.35 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Total

4.02 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Wine

0.23 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

18.26 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Women married by age 15

0.3% (2018)

Women married by age 18

12.9% (2018)

14.1%

2.9% (2023 est.)

57.4% (2023 est.)

5.99 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

adult female

96 per 1,000

adult male

219 per 1,000

Elderly dependency ratio

11.4 (2025 est.)

Potential support ratio

8.8 (2025 est.)

Total dependency ratio

56 (2025 est.)

Youth dependency ratio

44.6 (2025 est.)

improved total

73.88%

Improved: rural

rural: 85.8% of population (2022 est.)

Improved: total

total: 90.8% of population (2022 est.)

Improved: urban

urban: 99.2% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved: rural

rural: 14.2% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved: total

total: 9.2% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved: urban

urban: 0.8% of population (2022 est.)

Education expenditure (% GDP)

6.8% of GDP (2023 est.)

Education expenditure (% national budget)

19.6% national budget (2024 est.)

7 % of GDP

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.)

1.18 (2025 est.)

5 % of GDP

Health expenditure (as % of GDP)

5.4% of GDP (2021)

Health expenditure (as % of national budget)

7.6% of national budget (2022 est.)

0.23%

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

Female

20.2 deaths/1,000 live births

Male

28.6 deaths/1,000 live births

neonatal

11 deaths/1,000 live births

Total

24 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

Languages

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

Major-language sample(s)

<br>Дүйнөлүк фактылар китеби, негизги маалыматтын маанилүү булагы. (Kyrgyz)<br><br>The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

number of languages

2

Female

77.2 years

Male

68.9 years

Total population

72.9 years (2024 est.)

1.105 million BISHKEK (capital) (2023)

42 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Female

29.8 years

Male

26.9 years

Total

28.6 years (2025 est.)

22.6 years (2019 est.)

Adjective

Kyrgyzstani

Noun

Kyrgyzstani(s)

-4.75 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

16.6% (2016)

1.85 physicians/1,000 population (2023)

Female

3,175,811

Male

3,043,940

Total

6,219,751 (2025 est.)

0.75% (2025 est.)

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

improved total

93.03%

Improved: rural

rural: 100% of population (2022 est.)

Improved: total

total: 100% of population (2022 est.)

Improved: urban

urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved: rural

rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved: total

total: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved: urban

urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Female

13 years (2024 est.)

Male

12 years (2024 est.)

Total

13 years (2024 est.)

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

At birth

1.07 male(s)/female

Total population

0.96 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Female

3.1% (2025 est.)

Male

50.7% (2025 est.)

Total

26% (2025 est.)

2.43 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Rate of urbanization

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

Urban population

37.8% of total population (2023)

measles

96%

7 provinces (<em>oblustar</em>, singular - <em>oblus</em>) and 2 cities* (<em>shaarlar</em>, singular - <em>shaar</em>); Batken Oblusu, Bishkek Shaary*, Chuy Oblusu (Bishkek), Jalal-Abad Oblusu, Naryn Oblusu, Osh Oblusu, Osh Shaary*, Talas Oblusu, Ysyk-Kol Oblusu (Karakol)

note

<strong>note:</strong> administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers; exceptions show the administrative center name in parentheses

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

Geographic coordinates

42 52 N, 74 36 E

Name

Bishkek

Time difference

UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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

svg

https://mainfacts.com/media/images/coats_of_arms/kg.svg

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

History

previous 1993, 2007, 2010; latest approved by referendum in 2021&nbsp;

alternative spellings

KG, Киргизия, Kyrgyz Republic, Кыргыз Республикасы, Kyrgyz Respublikasy

Conventional long form

Kyrgyz Republic

Conventional short form

Kyrgyzstan

Etymology

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

FIFA code

KGZ

Local long form

Kyrgyz Respublikasy

local long form (kir)

Кыргыз Республикасы

Local short form

Kyrgyzstan

Chief of mission

Ambassador Lesslie VIGUERIE (since 29 December 2022)

Email address and website

<br>ConsularBishkek@state.gov<br><br>https://kg.usembassy.gov/

Embassy

171 Prospect Mira, Bishkek 720016

FAX

[996] (312) 597-744

Mailing address

7040 Bishkek Place, Washington DC&nbsp; 20521-7040

Telephone

[996] (312) 597-000

Chancery

2360 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

Chief of mission

Ambassador Aibek MOLDOGAZIEV (since 11 June 2025)

Email address and website

<br>kgembassy.usa@mfa.gov.kg<br><br>Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in the USA and Canada (mfa.gov.kg)

FAX

[1] (202) 449-8275

Telephone

[1] (202) 449-9822

Cabinet

Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president

Chief of state

President Sadyr JAPAROV (since 28 January 2021)

Election results

<em><br>2021:</em> Sadyr JAPAROV elected president in first round; percent of vote - Sadyr JAPAROV (Mekenchil) 79.2%, Adakhan MADUMAROV (United Kyrgyzstan) 6.8%, other 14%<br><br><em>2017:</em> 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%

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)

Expected date of next election

2027

Head of government

Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Adylbek KASYMALIYEV (since 18 December 2024)

Most recent election date

10 January 2021

Note

<strong>note:</strong> the president is both chief of state and head of government

<strong>description:</strong> red field with a yellow sun in the center that has 40 rays that 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 <em>tunduk,</em> the circular opening at the top of a traditional Kyrgyz yurt<br><br><strong>meaning:</strong> the sun's rays represent the Kyrgyz tribes; red stands for bravery and valor, and the sun for peace and wealth

The flag of Kyrgyzstan features a yellow sun with forty rays at the center of a red field. At the center of the sun is a stylized depiction of a tunduk.

svg

https://flagcdn.com/kg.svg

parliamentary republic

31 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

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

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

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

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

Electoral system

other systems

Expected date of next election

November 2030

Legislative structure

unicameral

Legislature name

Supreme Council (Jogorku Kenesh)

Most recent election date

11/30/2025

Number of seats

90 (all directly elected)

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%

Scope of elections

full renewal

Term in office

5 years

adopted in 1992, the coat of arms of Kyrgyzstan highlights two of its best-known geographic features, Issyk-Kul Lake and the Tien Shan mountain range; the falcon, the national symbol, stands for nobleness and purity, and light blue for courage and generosity; the word &ldquo;Kyrgyz&rdquo; appears at the top of the emblem, and &ldquo;Republic&rdquo; at the bottom; the wheat, cotton, and rising sun were symbols used during the Soviet era

red, yellow

Selected World Heritage Site locales

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

Total World Heritage Sites

3 (2 cultural, 1 natural)

Independence Day, 31 August (1991)

white falcon

Afghan's Party<br>Alliance<br>Cohesion<br>Fatherland Kyrgyzstan<br>Ishenim<br>Light of Faith<br>Mekenchil<br>Social Democrats or SDK<br>United Kyrgyzstan

Monday

18 years of age; universal

Yes

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

note

<b>note:</b> top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Expenditures

$4.452 billion (2023 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Revenues

$4.84 billion (2023 est.)

code

KGS

name

Kyrgyzstani som (KGS) [с]

$-5,179,629,537

Current account balance 2020

$374.257 million (2020 est.)

Current account balance 2021

-$737.696 million (2021 est.)

Current account balance 2022

-$5.18 billion (2022 est.)

Note

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

$11.69 billion

Debt - external 2023

$3.617 billion (2023 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> present value of external debt in current US dollars

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

Currency

soms (KGS) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2020

77.346 (2020 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

84.641 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

84.116 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2023

87.856 (2023 est.)

Exchange rates 2024

87.15 (2024 est.)

$7.59 billion

Exports 2020

$2.435 billion (2020 est.)

Exports 2021

$3.292 billion (2021 est.)

Exports 2022

$3.628 billion (2022 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

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

note

<b>note:</b> top five export commodities based on value in dollars

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

note

<b>note:</b> top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

net inflows

$705.33 million

Exports of goods and services

36.9% (2023 est.)

Government consumption

16% (2023 est.)

Household consumption

88.3% (2023 est.)

Imports of goods and services

-95.5% (2023 est.)

Investment in fixed capital

22% (2023 est.)

Investment in inventories

12.5% (2023 est.)

Note

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

Agriculture

8.6% (2024 est.)

Industry

24.7% (2024 est.)

Note

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

Services

52.1% (2024 est.)

$17.478 billion (2024 est.)

note

<b>note:</b> data in current dollars at official exchange rate

$2,420

29.7 (2019)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2022

26.4 (2022 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

$17.24 billion

$2,190

30 % of GDP

Highest 10%

22% (2022 est.)

Lowest 10%

4.4% (2022 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

$14.72 billion

Imports 2020

$4.051 billion (2020 est.)

Imports 2021

$5.928 billion (2021 est.)

Imports 2022

$10.655 billion (2022 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

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

note

<b>note:</b> top five import commodities based on value in dollars

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

note

<b>note:</b> top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

9.4% (2024 est.)

note

<b>note:</b> annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

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

10.75%

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021

11.9% (2021 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

13.9% (2022 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023

10.8% (2023 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> annual % change based on consumer prices

3.197 million (2024 est.)

note

<b>note:</b> number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

total

2.86 million persons

agriculture

15.45%

industry

26.82%

services

57.73%

33.3% (2021 est.)

note

<b>note:</b> % of population with income below national poverty line

40 % of GDP

Note

<b>note:</b> central government debt as a % of GDP

Public debt 2023

40.5% of GDP (2023 est.)

$57.86 billion

Note

<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

$42.826 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

$46.686 billion (2023 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024

$50.907 billion (2024 est.)

9.04%

Note

<b>note:</b> annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP growth rate 2022

9% (2022 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2023

9% (2023 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2024

9% (2024 est.)

$8,012

Note

<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP per capita 2022

$6,100 (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2023

$6,600 (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2024

$7,000 (2024 est.)

$3.1 billion

Note

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

Remittances 2021

32.6% of GDP (2021 est.)

Remittances 2022

26.6% of GDP (2022 est.)

Remittances 2023

18.8% of GDP (2023 est.)

$5.09 billion

Note

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

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022

$2.799 billion (2022 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023

$3.237 billion (2023 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024

$5.089 billion (2024 est.)

32 % of GDP

20 % of GDP

19.6% (of GDP) (2023 est.)

note

<b>note:</b> central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

3.53%

Note

<b>note:</b> % of labor force seeking employment

Unemployment rate 2022

4.1% (2022 est.)

Unemployment rate 2023

4% (2023 est.)

Unemployment rate 2024

3.3% (2024 est.)

Female

7.7% (2024 est.)

Male

6.3% (2024 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

Total

6.8% (2024 est.)

Consumption

4.212 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Exports

1.672 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Imports

1.443 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Production

3.685 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Proven reserves

28.499 billion metric tons (2023 est.)

Consumption

14.872 billion kWh (2023 est.)

consumption per capita

1,971 kWh

Exports

428.01 million kWh (2023 est.)

Imports

3.929 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Installed generating capacity

3.944 million kW (2023 est.)

Transmission/distribution losses

2.363 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Electrification - rural areas

99.6%

Electrification - total population

99.7% (2022 est.)

Electrification - urban areas

100%

Fossil fuels

14.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

hydroelectric

85.92%

Hydroelectricity

85.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

nuclear

0%

renewable

85.59%

645 kg of oil equivalent

Total energy consumption per capita 2023

27.58 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Consumption

435.336 million cubic meters (2023 est.)

Imports

406.698 million cubic meters (2023 est.)

Production

28.638 million cubic meters (2023 est.)

Proven reserves

5.663 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)

Crude oil estimated reserves

40 million barrels (2021 est.)

Refined petroleum consumption

31,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Total petroleum production

6,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

27.6%

per 100 inhabitants

6 per 100

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

6 (2023 est.)

Total

456,000 (2023 est.)

state-funded public TV broadcaster NTRK operates Ala-Too 24 news channel and 4 other educational, cultural, and sports channels; ELTR is a state-owned TV station; the switchover to digital TV in 2017 resulted in private TV station growth; approximately 20 TV stations are struggling to increase Kyrgyz-language content to 60% of airtime, as required by law, instead of rebroadcasting programs from Russian channels or airing unlicensed movies and music; several Russian TV stations also broadcast; state-funded radio stations and about 10 significant private radio stations&nbsp; (2023)

.kg

Percent of population

89% (2023 est.)

######

+996

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

3 (2023 est.)

Total subscriptions

185,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100

109 per 100

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

107 (2024 est.)

Total subscriptions

7.72 million (2024 est.)

passengers carried

804,478 passengers

registered carrier departures

5,514 departures

28 (2025)

EX

Right

1 (2025)

Broad gauge

424 km (2018) 1.520-m gauge

Total

424 km (2022)

KS

armored vehicles

tanks

the Kyrgyz military’s primary responsibility is defense of the country’s sovereignty and territory, although it also has some internal security duties; the military also participates in UN and Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) peacekeeping missions, as well as bilateral and multinational exercises; particular issues of concern include border security and terrorism; 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<br><br>Kyrgyzstan has been a member of 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 (2025)

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<br><br>Ministry of Internal Affairs: Internal Security Service<br><br>State Committee for National Security: Border Guard Service (2025)

active duty personnel

21,000

note

<strong>note:</strong> the National Guard’s missions include counterterrorism, responding to emergencies, and the protection of government facilities

percent of total labor force

0.81 %

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

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 armaments from other suppliers such as T&uuml;rkiye, which provided unmanned aerial vehicles/drones (2025)

3 % of GDP

current USD

$473,046,661

Military Expenditures 2020

3% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military Expenditures 2021

2.8% of GDP (2021 est.)

Military Expenditures 2022

3% of GDP (2022 est.)

Military Expenditures 2023

3.5% of GDP (2023 est.)

Military Expenditures 2024

3% of GDP (2024 est.)

percent of central government expenditure

8.40 %

percent of GDP

2.97 % of GDP

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 (2025)

PowerIndex score

2.3969

IDPs

12 (2024 est.)

Refugees

25,413 (2024 est.)

Stateless persons

925 (2024 est.)

Tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List — the government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking compared with the previous reporting period, therefore Kyrgyzstan remained on Tier 2 Watch List for the second consecutive year; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/kyrgyz-republic/

US-designated foreign terrorist groups such as the Islamic Jihad Union, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, and the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham-Khorasan Province have operated in the area where the Uzbek, Kyrgyz, and Tajik borders converge and ill-defined and porous borders allow for the relatively free movement of people and illicit goods

From coal and metallurgical coke

6.301 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

From consumed natural gas

854,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

From petroleum and other liquids

4.234 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Total emissions

11.389 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

water pollution; increasing soil salinity from irrigation practices; air pollution due to vehicle traffic

Party to

Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

Signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

40.9 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

7 % of total land area

0 % of total

23.618 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

16 % of internal resources

Agricultural

7.1 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Industrial

336 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Municipal

224 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Municipal solid waste generated annually

1.113 million tons (2024 est.)

Percent of municipal solid waste recycled

14.6% (2022 est.)