Topic: Photos of Tajikistan

Topic: Introduction
Background: The Tajik people came under Russian imperial rule in the 1860s and 1870s, but Russia's hold on Central Asia weakened following the Revolution of 1917. At that time, bands of indigenous guerrillas (known as "basmachi") fiercely contested Bolshevik control of the area, which was not fully reestablished until 1925. Tajikistan was first created as an autonomous republic within Uzbekistan in 1924, but in 1929 the USSR designated Tajikistan a separate republic and transferred to it much of present-day Sughd province. Ethnic Uzbeks form a substantial minority in Tajikistan, and ethnic Tajiks an even larger minority in Uzbekistan. Tajikistan became independent in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union, and experienced a civil war between political, regional, and religious factions from 1992 to 1997. Though the country holds general elections for both the presidency (once every seven years) and legislature (once every five years), observers note an electoral system rife with irregularities and abuse, with results that are neither free nor fair. President Emomali RAHMON, who came to power in 1992 during the civil war and was first elected president in 1994, used an attack planned by a disaffected deputy defense minister in 2015 to ban the last major opposition political party in Tajikistan. In December 2015, RAHMON further strengthened his position by having himself declared "Founder of Peace and National Unity, Leader of the Nation," with limitless terms and lifelong immunity through constitutional amendments ratified in a referendum. The referendum also lowered the minimum age required to run for president from 35 to 30, which made RAHMON's first-born son Rustam EMOMALI, the mayor of the capital city of Dushanbe, eligible to run for president in 2020. In April 2020, RAHMON orchestrated EMOMALI's selection as Chairman of the Majlisi Milli (Tajikistan's senate), positioning EMOMALI as next in line of succession for the presidency. RAHMON opted to run in the presidential election in October 2020 and received 91% of the vote.

The country remains the poorest in the former Soviet sphere. Tajikistan became a member of the WTO in March 2013. However, its economy continues to face major challenges, including dependence on remittances from Tajikistani migrant laborers working in Russia and Kazakhstan, pervasive corruption, and the opiate trade and other destabilizing violence emanating from neighboring Afghanistan. Tajikistan has endured several domestic security incidents since 2010, including armed conflict between government forces and local strongmen in the Rasht Valley and between government forces and residents and informal leaders in Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast. Tajikistan suffered its first ISIS-claimed attack in 2018, when assailants attacked a group of Western bicyclists with vehicles and knives, killing four.    The Tajik people came under Russian imperial rule in the 1860s and 1870s, but Russia's hold on Central Asia weakened following the Revolution of 1917. At that time, bands of indigenous guerrillas (known as "basmachi") fiercely contested Bolshevik control of the area, which was not fully reestablished until 1925. Tajikistan was first created as an autonomous republic within Uzbekistan in 1924, but in 1929 the USSR designated Tajikistan a separate republic and transferred to it much of present-day Sughd province. Ethnic Uzbeks form a substantial minority in Tajikistan, and ethnic Tajiks an even larger minority in Uzbekistan. Tajikistan became independent in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union, and experienced a civil war between political, regional, and religious factions from 1992 to 1997.Though the country holds general elections for both the presidency (once every seven years) and legislature (once every five years), observers note an electoral system rife with irregularities and abuse, with results that are neither free nor fair. President Emomali RAHMON, who came to power in 1992 during the civil war and was first elected president in 1994, used an attack planned by a disaffected deputy defense minister in 2015 to ban the last major opposition political party in Tajikistan. In December 2015, RAHMON further strengthened his position by having himself declared "Founder of Peace and National Unity, Leader of the Nation," with limitless terms and lifelong immunity through constitutional amendments ratified in a referendum. The referendum also lowered the minimum age required to run for president from 35 to 30, which made RAHMON's first-born son Rustam EMOMALI, the mayor of the capital city of Dushanbe, eligible to run for president in 2020. In April 2020, RAHMON orchestrated EMOMALI's selection as Chairman of the Majlisi Milli (Tajikistan's senate), positioning EMOMALI as next in line of succession for the presidency. RAHMON opted to run in the presidential election in October 2020 and received 91% of the vote.

The country remains the poorest in the former Soviet sphere. Tajikistan became a member of the WTO in March 2013. However, its economy continues to face major challenges, including dependence on remittances from Tajikistani migrant laborers working in Russia and Kazakhstan, pervasive corruption, and the opiate trade and other destabilizing violence emanating from neighboring Afghanistan. Tajikistan has endured several domestic security incidents since 2010, including armed conflict between government forces and local strongmen in the Rasht Valley and between government forces and residents and informal leaders in Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast. Tajikistan suffered its first ISIS-claimed attack in 2018, when assailants attacked a group of Western bicyclists with vehicles and knives, killing four.  Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
Location: Central Asia, west of China, south of Kyrgyzstan
Geographic coordinates: 39 00 N, 71 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area: total: 144,100 sq km

land: 141,510 sq km

water: 2,590 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Wisconsin
Land boundaries: total: 4,130 km

border countries (4): Afghanistan 1,357 km; China 477 km; Kyrgyzstan 984 km; Uzbekistan 1,312 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: mid-latitude continental, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid to polar in Pamir Mountains
Terrain: mountainous region dominated by the Alay Mountains in the north and the Pamirs in the southeast; western Fergana Valley in north, Kofirnihon and Vakhsh Valleys in southwest
Elevation: highest point: Qullai Somoniyon 7,495 m

lowest point: Syr Darya (Sirdaryo) 300 m

mean elevation: 3,186 m
Natural resources: hydropower, some petroleum, uranium, mercury, brown coal, lead, zinc, antimony, tungsten, silver, gold
Land use: agricultural land: 34.7% (2018 est.)

arable land: 6.1% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0.9% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 27.7% (2018 est.)

forest: 2.9% (2018 est.)

other: 62.4% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 7,420 sq km (2012)
Major rivers (by length in km): Syr Darya (shared with Kyrgyzstan [s], Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan [m]) - 3,078 km; Amu Darya river source (shared with Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan [m]) - 2,620 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
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)
Population distribution: the country's population is concentrated at lower elevations, with perhaps as much as 90% of the people living in valleys; overall density increases from east to west
Natural hazards: earthquakes; floods
Geography - note: landlocked; highest point, Qullai Ismoili Somoni (formerly Communism Peak), was the tallest mountain in the former USSR
Map description: Tajikistan map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries.Tajikistan map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries.

Topic: People and Society
Population: 9,119,347 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Tajikistani(s)

adjective: Tajikistani
Ethnic groups: Tajik 84.3% (includes Pamiri and Yagnobi), Uzbek 13.8%, other 2% (includes Kyrgyz, Russian, Turkmen, Tatar, Arab) (2014 est.)
Languages: Tajik (official) 84.4%, Uzbek 11.9%, Kyrgyz 0.8%, Russian 0.5%, other 2.4% (2010 est.)

major-language sample(s):
Китоби Фактҳои Ҷаҳонӣ, манбаи бебадали маълумоти асосӣ (Tajik)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

note: Russian widely used in government and business
Religions: Muslim 98% (Sunni 95%, Shia 3%) other 2% (2014 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 31.43% (male 1,420,271/female 1,368,445)

15-24 years: 18.13% (male 816,658/female 792,231)

25-54 years: 40.58% (male 1,789,271/female 1,811,566)

55-64 years: 6.23% (male 253,862/female 299,378)

65 years and over: 3.63% (2020 est.) (male 132,831/female 189,156)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 67.9

youth dependency ratio: 62.6

elderly dependency ratio: 5.3

potential support ratio: 18.7 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 25.3 years

male: 24.6 years

female: 26 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.4% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 20.73 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 5.72 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: the country's population is concentrated at lower elevations, with perhaps as much as 90% of the people living in valleys; overall density increases from east to west
Urbanization: urban population: 28% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 2.73% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 962,000 DUSHANBE (capital) (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.84 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.48 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 21.9 years (2017 est.)

note: median age at first birth among women 25-49
Maternal mortality ratio: 17 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 32.33 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 37.03 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 27.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.36 years

male: 66.2 years

female: 72.69 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.45 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 29.3% (2017)
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 96.5% of population

rural: 79.9% of population

total: 84.4% of population

unimproved: urban: 3.5% of population

rural: 20.1% of population

total: 15.6% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 7.1% (2019)
Physicians density: 2.1 physicians/1,000 population (2014)
Hospital bed density: 4.7 beds/1,000 population (2014)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 98.9% of population

rural: 99.6% of population

total: 99.4% of population

unimproved: urban: 1.1% of population

rural: 0.4% of population

total: 0.6% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 14,000 (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <500
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria

note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Asia; Tajikistan is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 14.2% (2016)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 7.6% (2017)
Child marriage: women married by age 15: 0.1% (2017)

women married by age 18: 8.7% (2017 est.)
Education expenditures: 5.7% of GDP (2019)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.8%

male: 99.8%

female: 99.7% (2015)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years

male: 12 years

female: 11 years (2013)

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: areas of high air pollution from motor vehicles and industry; water pollution from agricultural runoff and disposal of untreated industrial waste and sewage; poor management of water resources; soil erosion; increasing levels of soil salinity
Environment - international agreements: party to: 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, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 40.05 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 5.31 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 4.87 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: mid-latitude continental, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid to polar in Pamir Mountains
Land use: agricultural land: 34.7% (2018 est.)

arable land: 6.1% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0.9% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 27.7% (2018 est.)

forest: 2.9% (2018 est.)

other: 62.4% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 28% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 2.73% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 1.12% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0.54% of GDP (2018 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria

note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Asia; Tajikistan is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 1,787,400 tons (2013 est.)
Major rivers (by length in km): Syr Darya (shared with Kyrgyzstan [s], Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan [m]) - 3,078 km; Amu Darya river source (shared with Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan [m]) - 2,620 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
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)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 647 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 407.8 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 10.44 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 21.91 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Tajikistan

conventional short form: Tajikistan

local long form: Jumhurii Tojikiston

local short form: Tojikiston

former: Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic

etymology: the Persian suffix "-stan" means "place of" or "country," so the word Tajikistan literally means "Land of the Tajik [people]"
Government type: presidential republic
Capital: name: Dushanbe

geographic coordinates: 38 33 N, 68 46 E

time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: today's city was originally at the crossroads where a large bazaar occurred on Mondays, hence the name Dushanbe, which in Persian means Monday, i.e., the second day (du) after Saturday (shambe)
Administrative divisions: 2 provinces (viloyatho, singular - viloyat), 1 autonomous province* (viloyati mukhtor), 1 capital region** (viloyati poytakht), and 1 area referred to as Districts Under Republic Administration***; Dushanbe**, Khatlon (Bokhtar), Kuhistoni Badakhshon [Gorno-Badakhshan]* (Khorugh), Nohiyahoi Tobei Jumhuri***, Sughd (Khujand)

note: the administrative center name follows in parentheses
Independence: 9 September 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day (or National Day), 9 September (1991)
Constitution: history: several previous; latest adopted 6 November 1994

amendments: proposed by the president of the republic or by at least one third of the total membership of both houses of the Supreme Assembly; adoption of any amendment requires a referendum, which includes approval of the president or approval by at least two-thirds majority of the Assembly of Representatives; passage in a referendum requires participation of an absolute majority of eligible voters and an absolute majority of votes; constitutional articles, including Tajikistan’s form of government, its territory, and its democratic nature, cannot be amended; amended 1999, 2003, 2016
Legal system: civil law system
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Tajikistan

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years or 3 years of continuous residence prior to application
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Emomali RAHMON (since 6 November 1994; head of state and Supreme Assembly chairman since 19 November 1992)

head of government: Prime Minister Qohir RASULZODA (since 23 November 2013)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the Supreme Assembly

elections/appointments: president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 7-year term for a maximum of two terms; however, as the "Leader of the Nation" President RAHMON can run an unlimited number of times; election last held on 11 October 2020 (next to be held in 2027); prime minister appointed by the president

election results: Emomali RAHMON reelected president; percent of vote - Emomali RAHMON (PDPT) 90.9%
Legislative branch: description: bicameral Supreme Assembly or Majlisi Oli consists of:
National Assembly or Majlisi Milli (34 seats; 25 members indirectly elected by local representative assemblies or majlisi, 8 appointed by the president, and 1 reserved for each living former president; members serve 5-year terms)
Assembly of Representatives or Majlisi Namoyandagon (63 seats; 41 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by 2-round absolute majority vote and 22 directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by closed-list proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms)

elections:
National Assembly - last held on 1 March 2020 (next to be held in 2025)
Assembly of Representatives - last held on 1 March 2020 (next to be held in 2025)

election results:
National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 28, women 6, percent of women 17.6%
Assembly of Representatives - percent of vote by party - PDPT 50.4%, PERT 16.6%, APT 16.5%, SPT 5.2%, DPT 5.1%, CPT 3.1%, other 3.1%; seats by party - PDPT 47, APT 7, PERT 5, CPT 2, SPT 1, DPT 1; composition - men 48, women 15, percent of women 23.8%; note - total Supreme Assembly percent of women 21.6%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the chairman, deputy chairmen, and 34 judges organized into civil, family, criminal, administrative offense, and military chambers); Constitutional Court (consists of the court chairman, deputy chairman, and 5 judges); High Economic Court (consists of 16 judicial positions)

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court, Constitutional Court, and High Economic Court judges nominated by the president and approved by the National Assembly; judges of all 3 courts appointed for 10-year renewable terms with no term limits, but the last appointment must occur before the age of 65

subordinate courts: regional and district courts; Dushanbe City Court; viloyat (province level) courts; Court of Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region
Political parties and leaders: Agrarian Party of Tajikistan or APT [Rustam LATIFZODA]
Communist Party of Tajikistan or CPT [Miroj ABDULLOEV]
Democratic Party of Tajikistan or DPT [Saidjafar USMONZODA]
Party of Economic Reform of Tajikistan or PERT [Rustam RAHMATZODA]
People's Democratic Party of Tajikistan or PDPT [Emomali RAHMON]
Social Democratic Party of Tajikistan or SDPT [Qiyomiddin AZIZOV]
Socialist Party of Tajikistan or SPT [Abduhalim GHAFFORZODA]
International organization participation: ADB, CICA, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-77, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Farrukh HAMRALIZODA (since 17 February 2021)

chancery: 1005 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037

telephone: [1] (202) 223-6090; [1] (202) 223-2666

FAX: [1] (202) 223-6091

email address and website:
tajemus@mfa.tj; tajikistan@verizon.net

https://mfa.tj/en/washington
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John Mark POMMERSHEIM (since 15 March 2019)

embassy: 109-A Ismoili Somoni Avenue (Zarafshon district), Dushanbe 734019

mailing address: 7090 Dushanbe Place, Washington DC  20521-7090

telephone: [992] (37) 229-20-00

FAX: [992] (37) 229-20-50

email address and website:
DushanbeConsular@state.gov

https://tj.usembassy.gov/
Flag description: three horizontal stripes of red (top), a wider stripe of white, and green; a gold crown surmounted by seven gold, five-pointed stars is located in the center of the white stripe; red represents the sun, victory, and the unity of the nation, white stands for purity, cotton, and mountain snows, while green is the color of Islam and the bounty of nature; the crown symbolizes the Tajik people; the seven stars signify the Tajik magic number "seven" - a symbol of perfection and the embodiment of happiness
National symbol(s): crown surmounted by an arc of seven, five-pointed stars; snow leopard; national colors: red, white, green
National anthem: name: "Surudi milli" (National Anthem)

lyrics/music: Gulnazar KELDI/Sulaimon YUDAKOV

note: adopted 1991; after the fall of the Soviet Union, Tajikistan kept the music of the anthem from its time as a Soviet republic but adopted new lyrics
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 2 (1 cultural, 1 natural)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Proto-urban Site of Sarazm (c), Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs) (n)

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Tajikistan is a poor, mountainous country with an economy dominated by minerals extraction, metals processing, agriculture, and reliance on remittances from citizens working abroad. Mineral resources include silver, gold, uranium, antimony, tungsten, and coal. Industry consists mainly of small obsolete factories in food processing and light industry, substantial hydropower facilities, and a large aluminum plant - currently operating well below its capacity. The 1992-97 civil war severely damaged an already weak economic infrastructure and caused a sharp decline in industrial and agricultural production. Today, Tajikistan is the poorest among the former Soviet republics. Because less than 7% of the land area is arable and cotton is the predominant crop, Tajikistan imports approximately 70% of its food.   Since the end of the civil war, the country has pursued half-hearted reforms and privatizations in the economic sphere, but its poor business climate remains a hindrance to attracting foreign investment. Some experts estimate the value of narcotics transiting Tajikistan is equivalent to 30%-50% of GDP.   Because of a lack of employment opportunities in Tajikistan, more than one million Tajik citizens work abroad - roughly 90% in Russia - supporting families back home through remittances that in 2017 were equivalent to nearly 35% of GDP. Tajikistan’s large remittances from migrant workers in Russia exposes it to monetary shocks. Tajikistan often delays devaluation of its currency for fear of inflationary pressures on food and other consumables. Recent slowdowns in the Russian and Chinese economies, low commodity prices, and currency fluctuations have hampered economic growth. The dollar value of remittances from Russia to Tajikistan dropped by almost 65% in 2015, and the government spent almost $500 million in 2016 to bail out the country’s still troubled banking sector.   Tajikistan’s growing public debt – currently about 50% of GDP – could result in financial difficulties. Remittances from Russia increased in 2017, however, bolstering the economy somewhat. China owns about 50% of Tajikistan’s outstanding debt. Tajikistan has borrowed heavily to finance investment in the country’s vast hydropower potential. In 2016, Tajikistan contracted with the Italian firm Salini Impregilo to build the Roghun dam over a 13-year period for $3.9 billion. A 2017 Eurobond has largely funded Roghun’s first phase, after which sales from Roghun’s output are expected to fund the rest of its construction. The government has not ruled out issuing another Eurobond to generate auxiliary funding for its second phase.Tajikistan is a poor, mountainous country with an economy dominated by minerals extraction, metals processing, agriculture, and reliance on remittances from citizens working abroad. Mineral resources include silver, gold, uranium, antimony, tungsten, and coal. Industry consists mainly of small obsolete factories in food processing and light industry, substantial hydropower facilities, and a large aluminum plant - currently operating well below its capacity. The 1992-97 civil war severely damaged an already weak economic infrastructure and caused a sharp decline in industrial and agricultural production. Today, Tajikistan is the poorest among the former Soviet republics. Because less than 7% of the land area is arable and cotton is the predominant crop, Tajikistan imports approximately 70% of its food. Since the end of the civil war, the country has pursued half-hearted reforms and privatizations in the economic sphere, but its poor business climate remains a hindrance to attracting foreign investment. Some experts estimate the value of narcotics transiting Tajikistan is equivalent to 30%-50% of GDP. Because of a lack of employment opportunities in Tajikistan, more than one million Tajik citizens work abroad - roughly 90% in Russia - supporting families back home through remittances that in 2017 were equivalent to nearly 35% of GDP. Tajikistan’s large remittances from migrant workers in Russia exposes it to monetary shocks. Tajikistan often delays devaluation of its currency for fear of inflationary pressures on food and other consumables. Recent slowdowns in the Russian and Chinese economies, low commodity prices, and currency fluctuations have hampered economic growth. The dollar value of remittances from Russia to Tajikistan dropped by almost 65% in 2015, and the government spent almost $500 million in 2016 to bail out the country’s still troubled banking sector. Tajikistan’s growing public debt – currently about 50% of GDP – could result in financial difficulties. Remittances from Russia increased in 2017, however, bolstering the economy somewhat. China owns about 50% of Tajikistan’s outstanding debt. Tajikistan has borrowed heavily to finance investment in the country’s vast hydropower potential. In 2016, Tajikistan contracted with the Italian firm Salini Impregilo to build the Roghun dam over a 13-year period for $3.9 billion. A 2017 Eurobond has largely funded Roghun’s first phase, after which sales from Roghun’s output are expected to fund the rest of its construction. The government has not ruled out issuing another Eurobond to generate auxiliary funding for its second phase.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $34.88 billion (2020 est.)

$33.38 billion (2019 est.)

$31.08 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 7.1% (2017 est.)

6.9% (2016 est.)

6% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $3,700 (2020 est.)

$3,600 (2019 est.)

$3,400 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $2.522 billion (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.7% (2019 est.)

3.9% (2018 est.)

7.3% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Moody's rating: B3 (2017)

Standard & Poors rating: B- (2017)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 28.6% (2017 est.)

industry: 25.5% (2017 est.)

services: 45.9% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 98.4% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 13.3% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 11.7% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 2.5% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 10.7% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -36.6% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: milk, potatoes, wheat, watermelons, onions, tomatoes, vegetables, cotton, carrots/turnips, beef
Industries: aluminum, cement, coal, gold, silver, antimony, textile, vegetable oil
Industrial production growth rate: 1% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 2.295 million (2016 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 43%

industry: 10.6%

services: 46.4% (2016 est.)
Unemployment rate: 2.4% (2016 est.)

2.5% (2015 est.)

note: official rate; actual unemployment is much higher
Population below poverty line: 26.3% (2019 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 34 (2015 est.)

34.7 (1998)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: (2009 est.) NA

highest 10%: (2009 est.) NA
Budget: revenues: 2.269 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 2.374 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -1.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 50.4% of GDP (2017 est.)

42% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 31.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: -$35 million (2017 est.)

-$362 million (2016 est.)
Exports: $1.41 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$1.24 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$1.12 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: Turkey 24%, Switzerland 22%, Uzbekistan 16%, Kazakhstan 12%, China 10% (2019)
Exports - commodities: gold, aluminum, cotton, zinc, antimony, lead (2019)
Imports: $3.13 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$3.41 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$3.22 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: China 40%, Russia 38%, Kazakhstan 19%, Uzbekistan 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, wheat, natural gas, bauxite, aircraft (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $1.292 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$652.8 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $6.47 billion (2019 est.)

$5.849 billion (2018 est.)
Exchange rates: Tajikistani somoni (TJS) per US dollar -

8.764 (2017 est.)

7.8358 (2016 est.)

7.8358 (2015 est.)

6.1631 (2014 est.)

4.9348 (2013 est.)

Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity - production: 17.03 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - consumption: 12.96 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - exports: 1.4 billion kWh (2015 est.) NA
Electricity - imports: 103 million kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity: 5.508 million kW (2016 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels: 6% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels: 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants: 94% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources: 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Crude oil - production: 180 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Crude oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil - imports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil - proved reserves: 12 million bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 172 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption: 24,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 22,460 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas - production: 19.82 million cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - consumption: 19.82 million cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves: 5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)

Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 502,000 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 9.904 million (2019)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 111.53 (2019)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Tajikistan’s telecom sector continues to struggle due to geographic isolation, lack of electricity, dysfunctional business climate, and impoverished citizenry; despite the launch of 4G/LTE services, one of the lowest fixed-line penetrations in Asia and one of the lowest broadband levels in the world; with help from foreign investment, mobile sector near saturation phase; Russian loans and Chinese investment in infrastructure through Economic Corridor initiatives; a few cities have 4G coverage; LTE-based smart city concept in Dushanbe; government restricts political rights and civil liberties, controlling information through media interruptions; government raised rates on Internet-based calls and Internet services in 2020, making price one of the highest in the world; importer of video displays and broadcasting equipment from China (2020)

domestic: fixed line availability has not changed significantly since 1998, while mobile cellular subscribership, aided by competition among multiple operators, has expanded; coverage now extends to all major cities and towns; fixed-line over 5 per 100 and mobile-cellular over 111 per 100 (2019)

international: country code - 992; linked by cable and microwave radio relay to other CIS republics and by leased connections to the Moscow international gateway switch; Dushanbe linked by Intelsat to international gateway switch in Ankara (Turkey); 3 satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat and 1 Orbita

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
Broadcast media: state-run TV broadcasters transmit nationally on 9 TV and 10 radio stations, and regionally on 4 stations; 31 independent TV and 20 radio stations broadcast locally and regionally; many households are able to receive Russian and other foreign stations via cable and satellite (2016)
Internet country code: .tj
Internet users: total: 2,050,625 (2019 est.)

percent of population: 22% (2019 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 6,000 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.06 (2020 est.) less than 1

Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 6

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 492,320 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 2.34 million (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: EY
Airports: total: 24 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 17

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 4

1,524 to 2,437 m: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 3 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 7

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 5 (2021)
Pipelines: 549 km gas, 38 km oil (2013)
Railways: total: 680 km (2014)

broad gauge: 680 km (2014) 1.520-m gauge
Roadways: total: 30,000 km (2018)
Waterways: 200 km (2011) (along Vakhsh River)

Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Armed Forces of the Republic of Tajikistan: Land Forces, Mobile Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces; National Guard; Ministry of Internal Affairs: Internal Troops (reserves for Armed Forces in wartime); State Committee on National Security: Border Guard Forces (2021)
Military expenditures: 2.1% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $360 million)

2.1% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $350 million)

2.2% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $330 million)

2.2% of GDP (2016 est.) (approximately $320 million)

2.2% of GDP (2015 est.) (approximately $310 million)
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 9,500 active troops (8,000 Land and Mobile Forces; 1,500 Air and Air Defense Forces) (2021)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Tajikistan Armed Forces' inventory is comprised of older Russian and Soviet-era equipment; it has received limited quantities of weapons systems since 2010, most of which was second-hand material from Russia (2021)
Military service age and obligation: 18-27 years of age for compulsory or voluntary military service for men; 24-month conscript service obligation; in August 2021, the Tajik Government began allowing men to pay a fee in order to avoid conscription (2021)
Military - note: Tajikistan has been a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) since 1994 and contributes troops to CSTO's rapid reaction force

Topic: Terrorism
Terrorist group(s): Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)

note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in Appendix-T

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: in 2006, China and Tajikistan pledged to commence demarcation of the revised boundary agreed to in the delimitation of 2002; talks continue with Uzbekistan to delimit border and remove minefields; disputes in Isfara Valley delay delimitation with Kyrgyzstanin 2006, China and Tajikistan pledged to commence demarcation of the revised boundary agreed to in the delimitation of 2002; talks continue with Uzbekistan to delimit border and remove minefields; disputes in Isfara Valley delay delimitation with Kyrgyzstan
Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 6,775 (Afghanistan) (mid-year 2021)

stateless persons: 6,141 (mid-year 2021)
Illicit drugs: Tajikistan is a major route for drug trafficking in Central Asia; opiates and cannabis travel from Afghanistan through Tajikistan to markets in Russia, Belarus, and Western and Central Europe


This entry provides the public expenditure on education as a percent of GDP.

Topic: Afghanistan3.2% of GDP (2019)

Topic: AkrotiriNA

Topic: Albania3.9% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Algeria6.1% of GDP (2019)

Topic: American SamoaNA

Topic: Andorra3.2% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Angola1.8% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Anguilla3.6% of GDP (2018)

Topic: Antigua and Barbuda3.3% of GDP (2020)

Topic: Argentina4.8% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Armenia2.7% of GDP (2020)

Topic: Aruba5.5% of GDP (2016)

Topic: Ashmore and Cartier IslandsNA

Topic: Australia5.1% of GDP (2018)

Topic: Austria5.2% of GDP (2018)

Topic: Azerbaijan2.7% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Bahamas, The2.5% of GDP (2020)

Topic: Bahrain2.3% of GDP (2017)

Topic: Bangladesh1.3% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Barbados4.3% of GDP (2020)

Topic: Belarus5% of GDP (2020)

Topic: Belgium6.4% of GDP (2018)

Topic: Belize7.9% of GDP (2020)

Topic: Benin3% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Bermuda1.3% of GDP (2017)

Topic: Bhutan6.9% of GDP (2018)

Topic: Bolivia7.3% of GDP (2014)

Topic: Bosnia and HerzegovinaNA

Topic: Botswana6.9% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Brazil6.1% of GDP (2018)

Topic: British Indian Ocean TerritoryNA

Topic: British Virgin Islands2.9% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Brunei4.4% of GDP (2016)

Topic: Bulgaria4.1% of GDP (2017)

Topic: Burkina Faso5.8% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Burma2% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Burundi5.1% of GDP (2018)

Topic: Cabo Verde4.7% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Cambodia2.2% of GDP (2018)

Topic: Cameroon3.1% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Canada5.3% of GDP (2011)

Topic: Cayman IslandsNA

Topic: Central African Republic1.8% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Chad2.4% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Chile5.4% of GDP (2018)

Topic: China3.5% of GDP (2018) NA

Topic: Christmas IslandNA

Topic: Clipperton IslandNA

Topic: Cocos (Keeling) IslandsNA

Topic: Colombia4.5% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Comoros2.5% of GDP (2015)

Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the1.5% of GDP (2017)

Topic: Congo, Republic of the3.9% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Cook Islands3.5% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Coral Sea IslandsNA

Topic: Costa Rica6.7% of GDP (2020)

Topic: Cote d'Ivoire3.7% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Croatia3.9% of GDP (2017)

Topic: CubaNA

Topic: Curacao4.9% of GDP (2013)

Topic: Cyprus5.8% of GDP (2017)

Topic: Czechia4.3% of GDP (2018)

Topic: Denmark7.8% of GDP (2017)

Topic: DhekeliaNA

Topic: Djibouti3.6% of GDP (2018)

Topic: Dominica5% of GDP (2020)

Topic: Dominican Republic4% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Ecuador4.1% of GDP (2020)

Topic: Egypt3.9% of GDP (2015) NA

Topic: El Salvador3.4% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Equatorial GuineaNA

Topic: EritreaNA

Topic: Estonia5.2% of GDP (2018)

Topic: Eswatini5.3% of GDP (2020)

Topic: Ethiopia5.1% of GDP (2018)

Topic: European Union4.7% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)NA

Topic: Faroe Islands8.2% of GDP (2017)

Topic: Fiji5.1% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Finland6.3% of GDP (2018)

Topic: France5.4% of GDP (2018)

Topic: French PolynesiaNA

Topic: French Southern and Antarctic LandsNA

Topic: Gabon2.8% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Gambia, The2.9% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Gaza Strip5.3% of GDP (2018)

note: includes Gaza Strip and the West Bank

Topic: Georgia3.8% of GDP (2020)

Topic: Germany5% of GDP (2018)

Topic: Ghana4% of GDP (2018)

Topic: GibraltarNA

Topic: Greece3.6% of GDP (2018)

Topic: Greenland10.6% of GDP (2018) NA

Topic: Grenada3.6% of GDP (2018)

Topic: GuamNA

Topic: Guatemala3.3% of GDP (2020)

Topic: GuernseyNA

Topic: Guinea2.2% of GDP (2020)

Topic: Guinea-Bissau2.9% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Guyana4.5% of GDP (2018)

Topic: Haiti1.7% of GDP (2018)

Topic: Heard Island and McDonald IslandsNA

Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)NA

Topic: Honduras4.9% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Hong Kong4.4% of GDP (2020)

Topic: Hungary4.6% of GDP (2018)

Topic: Iceland7.6% of GDP (2018)

Topic: India3.5% of GDP (2016)

Topic: Indonesia2.8% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Iran3.7% of GDP (2019)

Topic: IraqNA

Topic: Ireland3.4% of GDP (2018)

Topic: Isle of ManNA

Topic: Israel6.2% of GDP (2018)

Topic: Italy4.3% of GDP (2018)

Topic: Jamaica5.4% of GDP (2020)

Topic: Jan MayenNA

Topic: Japan3.2% of GDP (2017)

Topic: JerseyNA

Topic: Jordan3% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Kazakhstan2.9% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Kenya5.1% of GDP (2020)

Topic: Kiribati12.4% of GDP (2019) NA

Topic: Korea, NorthNA

Topic: Korea, South4.5% of GDP (2018)

Topic: KosovoNA

Topic: Kuwait6.6% of GDP (2020)

Topic: Kyrgyzstan5.4% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Laos2.9% of GDP (2014)

Topic: Latvia4.2% of GDP (2018)

Topic: Lebanon2.6% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Lesotho7.4% of GDP (2020)

Topic: Liberia2.3% of GDP (2020)

Topic: LibyaNA

Topic: Liechtenstein2.6% of GDP (2011)

Topic: Lithuania3.9% of GDP (2018)

Topic: Luxembourg3.7% of GDP (2018)

Topic: Macau3.1% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Madagascar2.9% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Malawi2.9% of GDP (2020)

Topic: Malaysia4.2% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Maldives4.1% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Mali3.4% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Malta4.7% of GDP (2017)

Topic: Marshall Islands9.6% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Mauritania1.9% of GDP (2020)

Topic: Mauritius4.6% of GDP (2020)

Topic: Mexico4.3% of GDP (2018)

Topic: Micronesia, Federated States of9.7% of GDP (2018)

Topic: Moldova6.1% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Monaco1.2% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Mongolia4.9% of GDP (2019)

Topic: MontenegroNA

Topic: Montserrat9.1% of GDP (2019)

Topic: MoroccoNA

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

Topic: Mozambique6.2% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Namibia9.4% of GDP (2020)

Topic: NauruNA

Topic: Navassa IslandNA

Topic: Nepal4.4% of GDP (2018)

Topic: Netherlands5.4% of GDP (2018)

Topic: New CaledoniaNA

Topic: New Zealand6% of GDP (2018)

Topic: Nicaragua3.4% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Niger3.5% of GDP (2019)

Topic: NigeriaNA

Topic: NiueNA

Topic: Norfolk IslandNA

Topic: North MacedoniaNA

Topic: Northern Mariana IslandsNA

Topic: Norway7.6% of GDP (2018)

Topic: Oman5.4% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Pakistan2.5% of GDP (2019)

Topic: PalauNA

Topic: Panama3.1% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Papua New Guinea1.9% of GDP (2018)

Topic: Paracel IslandsNA

Topic: Paraguay3.5% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Peru4.2% of GDP (2020)

Topic: Philippines3.2% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Pitcairn IslandsNA

Topic: Poland4.6% of GDP (2018)

Topic: Portugal4.7% of GDP (2018)

Topic: Puerto Rico6.1% of GDP (2014)

Topic: Qatar3.2% of GDP (2020)

Topic: Romania3.3% of GDP (2018)

Topic: Russia4.7% of GDP (2018)

Topic: Rwanda3.4% of GDP (2020)

Topic: Saint BarthelemyNA

Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da CunhaNA

Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis2.6% of GDP (2015)

Topic: Saint Lucia3.6% of GDP (2020)

Topic: Saint MartinNA

Topic: Saint Pierre and MiquelonNA

Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines5.7% of GDP (2018)

Topic: Samoa4.8% of GDP (2020)

Topic: San Marino3.4% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Sao Tome and Principe5.9% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Saudi ArabiaNA

Topic: Senegal5.3% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Serbia3.6% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Seychelles3.9% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Sierra Leone9.3% of GDP (2020)

Topic: Singapore2.5% of GDP (2020)

Topic: Sint MaartenNA

Topic: Slovakia4% of GDP (2018)

Topic: Slovenia4.9% of GDP (2018)

Topic: Solomon Islands10.1% of GDP (2015)

Topic: SomaliaNA

Topic: South Africa6.8% of GDP (2020)

Topic: South Georgia and South Sandwich IslandsNA

Topic: South Sudan1.5% of GDP (2016)

Topic: Spain4.2% of GDP (2018)

Topic: Spratly IslandsNA

Topic: Sri Lanka2.1% of GDP (2018)

Topic: SudanNA

Topic: Suriname7.2% of GDP (2019)

Topic: SvalbardNA

Topic: Sweden7.6% of GDP (2018)

Topic: Switzerland4.9% of GDP (2018)

Topic: SyriaNA

Topic: TaiwanNA

Topic: Tajikistan5.7% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Tanzania3.1% of GDP (2020)

Topic: Thailand3% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Timor-Leste6.8% of GDP (2018)

Topic: Togo5% of GDP (2019)

Topic: TokelauNA

Topic: Tonga8% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Trinidad and Tobago3.6% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Tunisia7.3% of GDP (2016)

Topic: Turkey4.3% of GDP (2018)

Topic: Turkmenistan3.1% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Turks and Caicos Islands3.5% of GDP (2019)

Topic: TuvaluNA

Topic: Uganda3% of GDP (2020)

Topic: Ukraine5.4% of GDP (2019)

Topic: United Arab Emirates3.1% of GDP (2019)

Topic: United Kingdom5.2% of GDP (2018)

Topic: United States5% of GDP (2014)

Topic: United States Pacific Island Wildlife RefugesNA

Topic: Uruguay4.7% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Uzbekistan5.1% of GDP (2020)

Topic: Vanuatu2.3% of GDP (2020)

Topic: Venezuela1.3% of GDP (2017)

Topic: Vietnam4.1% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Virgin IslandsNA

Topic: Wake IslandNA

Topic: Wallis and FutunaNA

Topic: West Bank5.3% of GDP (2018)

note: includes Gaza Strip and the West Bank

Topic: YemenNA

Topic: Zambia4.5% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Zimbabwe3.6% of GDP (2018)


Topic: Photos of Liechtenstein

Topic: Introduction
Background: The Principality of Liechtenstein was established within the Holy Roman Empire in 1719. Occupied by both French and Russian troops during the Napoleonic Wars, it became a sovereign state in 1806 and joined the German Confederation in 1815. Liechtenstein became fully independent in 1866 when the Confederation dissolved. Until the end of World War I, it was closely tied to Austria, but the economic devastation caused by that conflict forced Liechtenstein to enter into a customs and monetary union with Switzerland. Since World War II (in which Liechtenstein remained neutral), the country's low taxes have spurred outstanding economic growth. In 2000, shortcomings in banking regulatory oversight resulted in concerns about the use of financial institutions for money laundering. However, Liechtenstein implemented anti-money laundering legislation and a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty with the US that went into effect in 2003.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
Location: Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland
Geographic coordinates: 47 16 N, 9 32 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total: 160 sq km

land: 160 sq km

water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 75 km

border countries (2): Austria 34 km; Switzerland 41 km
Coastline: 0 km (doubly landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: continental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain; cool to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers
Terrain: mostly mountainous (Alps) with Rhine Valley in western third
Elevation: highest point: Vorder-Grauspitz 2,599 m

lowest point: Ruggeller Riet 430 m
Natural resources: hydroelectric potential, arable land
Land use: agricultural land: 37.6% (2018 est.)

arable land: 18.8% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 18.8% (2018 est.)

forest: 43.1% (2018 est.)

other: 19.3% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (2012)
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km)
Population distribution: most of the population is found in the western half of the country along the Rhine River
Natural hazards: avalanches, landslides
Geography - note: along with Uzbekistan, one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world; variety of microclimatic variations based on elevation
Map description: Liechtenstein map showing major population centers of this landlocked country surrounded by Switzerland and Austria.Liechtenstein map showing major population centers of this landlocked country surrounded by Switzerland and Austria.

Topic: People and Society
Population: 39,711 (2022 est.)

note: immigrants make up 67% of the total population, according to UN data (2019)
Nationality: noun: Liechtensteiner(s)

adjective: Liechtenstein
Ethnic groups: Liechtensteiner 65.5%, Swiss 9.6%, Austrian 6%, German 4.5%, Italian 3.1%, other 11.4% (2020 est.)

note: data represent population by nationality
Languages: German 91.5% (official) (Alemannic is the main dialect), Italian 1.5%, Turkish 1.3%, Portuguese 1.1%, other 4.6% (2015 est.)

major-language sample(s):
Das World Factbook, die unverzichtbare Quelle für grundlegende Informationen. (German)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions: Roman Catholic (official) 73.4%, Protestant Reformed 6.3%, Muslim 5.9%,  Christian Orthodox 1.3%, Lutheran 1.2%, other Protestant .7%, other Christian .3%, other .8%, none 7%, unspecified 3.3% (2015 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 15.2% (male 3,259/female 2,688)

15-24 years: 11.29% (male 2,238/female 2,181)

25-54 years: 40.22% (male 7,869/female 7,872)

55-64 years: 14.41% (male 2,711/female 2,930)

65 years and over: 18.88% (2020 est.) (male 3,403/female 3,986)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: NA

youth dependency ratio: NA

elderly dependency ratio: NA

potential support ratio: NA
Median age: total: 43.7 years

male: 42 years

female: 45.3 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.72% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 10.32 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 7.98 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: 4.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: most of the population is found in the western half of the country along the Rhine River
Urbanization: urban population: 14.5% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 1.15% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 5,000 VADUZ (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.25 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.24 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 31.3 years (2017)
Infant mortality rate: total: 4.05 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 4.41 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 82.56 years

male: 80.33 years

female: 85.38 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.69 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA
Drinking water source: improved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 0% of population (2020)
Current Health Expenditure: NA
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 0% of population (2020)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: 2.6% of GDP (2011)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years

male: 16 years

female: 14 years (2019)

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: some air pollution generated locally, some transfered from surrounding countries
Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Law of the Sea
Air pollutants: carbon dioxide emissions: 0.05 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 0.02 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: continental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain; cool to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers
Land use: agricultural land: 37.6% (2018 est.)

arable land: 18.8% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 18.8% (2018 est.)

forest: 43.1% (2018 est.)

other: 19.3% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 14.5% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 1.15% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0% of GDP (2017 est.)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 32,382 tons (2015 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 20,919 tons (2015 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 64.6% (2015 est.)
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 7.9 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 0 cubic meters (2017 est.)

Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Principality of Liechtenstein

conventional short form: Liechtenstein

local long form: Fuerstentum Liechtenstein

local short form: Liechtenstein

etymology: named after the Liechtenstein dynasty that purchased and united the counties of Schellenburg and Vaduz and that was allowed by the Holy Roman Emperor in 1719 to rename the new property after their family; the name in German means "light (bright) stone"
Government type: constitutional monarchy
Capital: name: Vaduz

geographic coordinates: 47 08 N, 9 31 E

time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

etymology: may be a conflation from the Latin "vallis" (valley) and the High German "diutisk" (meaning "German") to produce "Valdutsch" (German valley), which over time simplified and came to refer specifically to Vaduz, the town
Administrative divisions: 11 communes (Gemeinden, singular - Gemeinde); Balzers, Eschen, Gamprin, Mauren, Planken, Ruggell, Schaan, Schellenberg, Triesen, Triesenberg, Vaduz
Independence: 23 January 1719 (Principality of Liechtenstein established); 12 July 1806 (independence from the Holy Roman Empire); 24 August 1866 (independence from the German Confederation)
National holiday: National Day, 15 August (1940); note - a National Day was originally established in 1940 to combine celebrations for the Feast of the Assumption (15 August) with those honoring the birthday of former Prince FRANZ JOSEF II (1906-1989) whose birth fell on 16 August; after the prince's death, National Day became the official national holiday by law in 1990
Constitution: history: previous 1862; latest adopted 5 October 1921

amendments: proposed by Parliament, by the reigning prince (in the form of "Government" proposals), by petition of at least 1,500 qualified voters, or by at least four communes; passage requires unanimous approval of Parliament members in one sitting or three-quarters majority vote in two successive sittings; referendum required only if petitioned by at least 1,500 voters or by at least four communes; passage by referendum requires absolute majority of votes cast; amended many times, last in 2020
Legal system: civil law system influenced by Swiss, Austrian, and German law
International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Liechtenstein; in the case of a child born out of wedlock, the mother must be a citizen

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Prince HANS-ADAM II (since 13 November 1989, assumed executive powers on 26 August 1984); Heir Apparent and Regent of Liechtenstein Prince ALOIS (son of the monarch, born 11 June 1968); note - 15 August 2004, HANS-ADAM II transferred the official duties of the ruling prince to ALOIS, but HANS-ADAM II retains status of chief of state

head of government: Prime Minister Daniel RISCH; Deputy Prime Minister Sabine MONAUNI (both since 25 March 2021)

cabinet: Cabinet elected by the Parliament, confirmed by the monarch

elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party in the Parliament usually appointed the head of government by the monarch, and the leader of the largest minority party in the Landtag usually appointed the deputy head of government by the monarch if there is a coalition government
Legislative branch: description: unicameral Parliament or Landtag (25 seats; members directly elected in 2 multi-seat constituencies by open-list proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms)

elections: last held on 7 February 2021 (next to be held on 7 February 2025)

election results: percent of vote by party - FBP 35.9%, VU 35.9%, FL 12.9%, DpL 11.1%, independent 4.2%; seats by party - FBP 10, VU 10, FL 3, DpL 2; composition - men 18, women 7, percent of women 28%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court or Oberster Gerichtshof (consists of 5 judges); Constitutional Court or Verfassungsgericht (consists of 5 judges and 5 alternates)

judge selection and term of office: judges of both courts elected by the Landtag and appointed by the monarch; Supreme Court judges serve 4-year renewable terms; Constitutional Court judges appointed for renewable 5-year terms

subordinate courts: Court of Appeal or Obergericht (second instance), Court of Justice (first instance), Administrative Court, county courts
Political parties and leaders: Fatherland Union (Vaterlaendische Union) or VU [Guenther FRITZ]
Progressive Citizens' Party (Fortschrittliche Buergerpartei) or FBP [Thomas BANZER]
The Free List (Die Freie Liste) or FL [Pepo FRICK and Conny BUECHEL BRUEHWILER]
Democrats for Liechtenstein (Demokraten pro Liechtenstein) of DpL [Thomas REHAK]
The Independents (Die Unabhaengigen) or DU [Harry QUADERER]
International organization participation: CD, CE, EBRD, EFTA, IAEA, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WIPO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Kurt JAEGER (since 16 September 2016)

chancery: 2900 K Street NW, Suite 602B, Washington, DC 20007

telephone: [1] (202) 331-0590

FAX: [1] (202) 331-3221

email address and website:
info@embassyli.org

https://www.liechtensteinusa.org/
Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: the US does not have an embassy in Liechtenstein; the US Ambassador to Switzerland is accredited to Liechtenstein
Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a gold crown on the hoist side of the blue band; the colors may derive from the blue and red livery design used in the principality's household in the 18th century; the prince's crown was introduced in 1937 to distinguish the flag from that of Haiti
National symbol(s): princely hat (crown); national colors: blue, red
National anthem: name: "Oben am jungen Rhein" (High Above the Young Rhine)

lyrics/music: Jakob Joseph JAUCH/Josef FROMMELT

note: adopted 1850, revised 1963; uses the tune of "God Save the Queen"

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Despite its small size and lack of natural resources, Liechtenstein has developed into a prosperous, highly industrialized, free-enterprise economy with a vital financial services sector and one of the highest per capita income levels in the world. The Liechtenstein economy is widely diversified with a large number of small and medium-sized businesses, particularly in the services sector. Low business taxes - a flat tax of 12.5% on income is applied - and easy incorporation rules have induced many holding companies to establish nominal offices in Liechtenstein, providing 30% of state revenues.   The country participates in a customs union with Switzerland and uses the Swiss franc as its national currency. It imports more than 90% of its energy requirements. Liechtenstein has been a member of the European Economic Area (an organization serving as a bridge between the European Free Trade Association and the EU) since May 1995. The government is working to harmonize its economic policies with those of an integrated EU. As of 2015, 54% of Liechtenstein’s workforce consisted of cross-border commuters, largely from Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.   Since 2008, Liechtenstein has faced renewed international pressure - particularly from Germany and the US - to improve transparency in its banking and tax systems. In December 2008, Liechtenstein signed a Tax Information Exchange Agreement with the US. Upon Liechtenstein's conclusion of 12 bilateral information-sharing agreements, the OECD in October 2009 removed the principality from its "grey list" of countries that had yet to implement the organization's Model Tax Convention. By the end of 2010, Liechtenstein had signed 25 Tax Information Exchange Agreements or Double Tax Agreements. In 2011, Liechtenstein joined the Schengen area, which allows passport-free travel across 26 European countries. In 2015, Liechtenstein and the EU agreed to clamp down on tax fraud and evasion and in 2018 will start automatically exchanging information on the bank accounts of each other’s residents.Despite its small size and lack of natural resources, Liechtenstein has developed into a prosperous, highly industrialized, free-enterprise economy with a vital financial services sector and one of the highest per capita income levels in the world. The Liechtenstein economy is widely diversified with a large number of small and medium-sized businesses, particularly in the services sector. Low business taxes - a flat tax of 12.5% on income is applied - and easy incorporation rules have induced many holding companies to establish nominal offices in Liechtenstein, providing 30% of state revenues. The country participates in a customs union with Switzerland and uses the Swiss franc as its national currency. It imports more than 90% of its energy requirements. Liechtenstein has been a member of the European Economic Area (an organization serving as a bridge between the European Free Trade Association and the EU) since May 1995. The government is working to harmonize its economic policies with those of an integrated EU. As of 2015, 54% of Liechtenstein’s workforce consisted of cross-border commuters, largely from Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. Since 2008, Liechtenstein has faced renewed international pressure - particularly from Germany and the US - to improve transparency in its banking and tax systems. In December 2008, Liechtenstein signed a Tax Information Exchange Agreement with the US. Upon Liechtenstein's conclusion of 12 bilateral information-sharing agreements, the OECD in October 2009 removed the principality from its "grey list" of countries that had yet to implement the organization's Model Tax Convention. By the end of 2010, Liechtenstein had signed 25 Tax Information Exchange Agreements or Double Tax Agreements. In 2011, Liechtenstein joined the Schengen area, which allows passport-free travel across 26 European countries. In 2015, Liechtenstein and the EU agreed to clamp down on tax fraud and evasion and in 2018 will start automatically exchanging information on the bank accounts of each other’s residents.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $4.978 billion (2014 est.)

$3.2 billion (2009 est.)

$3.216 billion (2008 est.)
Real GDP growth rate: 1.8% (2012 est.)

-0.5% (2011 est.)

3.1% (2007 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $139,100 (2009 est.)

$90,100 (2008 est.)

$91,300 (2007 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate): $6.672 billion (2014 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.4% (2016 est.)

-0.2% (2013)
Credit ratings: Standard & Poors rating: AAA (1996)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 7% (2014)

industry: 41% (2014)

services: 52% (2014)
Agricultural products: wheat, barley, corn, potatoes; livestock, dairy products
Industries: electronics, metal manufacturing, dental products, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, food products, precision instruments, tourism, optical instruments
Industrial production growth rate: NA
Labor force: 38,520 (2015 est.) (2012)

note: 51% of the labor force in Liechtenstein commute daily from Austria, Switzerland, and Germany
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 0.8%

industry: 36.9%

services: 62.3% (2015)
Unemployment rate: 2.4% (2015)

2.4% (2014)
Population below poverty line: NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA
Budget: revenues: 995.3 million (2012 est.)

expenditures: 890.4 million (2011 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): 1.6% (of GDP) (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 14.9% (of GDP) (2012 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Exports: $3.217 billion (2015 est.)

$3.774 billion (2014 est.)

note: trade data exclude trade with Switzerland
Exports - commodities: small specialty machinery, connectors for audio and video, parts for motor vehicles, dental products, hardware, prepared foodstuffs, electronic equipment, optical products
Imports: $2.23 billion (2014 est.)

note: trade data exclude trade with Switzerland
Imports - commodities: agricultural products, raw materials, energy products, machinery, metal goods, textiles, foodstuffs, motor vehicles
Debt - external: $0 (2015 est.)

note: public external debt only; private external debt unavailable
Exchange rates: Swiss francs (CHF) per US dollar -

0.9875 (2017 est.)

0.9852 (2016 est.)

0.9852 (2015 est.)

0.9627 (2014 est.)

0.9152 (2013 est.)

Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity - production: 68.43 million kWh (2015 est.)
Electricity - consumption: 393.6 million kWh (2015 est.)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2015 est.) (2015 est.)
Electricity - imports: 325.2 million kWh (2015 est.)

Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 12,607 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 33 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 48,904 (2020)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 128.3 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: automatic telephone system; 44 Internet service providers in Liechtenstein and Switzerland combined; FttP (fiber to the home) penetration marketed 3rd highest in EU; fiber network reaches 3/4 of the population (2020)

domestic: fixed-line roughly 33 per 100 and mobile-cellular services 128 per 100 (2020)

international: country code - 423; linked to Swiss networks by cable and microwave radio relay

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
Broadcast media: relies on foreign terrestrial and satellite broadcasters for most broadcast media services; first Liechtenstein-based TV station established August 2008; Radio Liechtenstein operates multiple radio stations; a Swiss-based broadcaster operates one radio station in Liechtenstein
Internet country code: .li
Internet users: total: 37,260 (2019 est.)

percent of population: 98% (2019 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 18,050 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 47 (2020 est.)

Topic: Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: HB
Pipelines: 434.5 km gas (2018)
Railways: total: 9 km (2018)

standard gauge: 9 km (2018) 1.435-m gauge (electrified)

note: belongs to the Austrian Railway System connecting Austria and Switzerland
Roadways: total: 630 km (2019)
Waterways: 28 km (2010)
Merchant marine: total: 20

by type: bulk carrier 16, general cargo 1, other 3 (includes Switzerland) (2021)

Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: no regular military forces; the National Police is responsible for all matters relating to the safety and security of Liechtenstein (2021)

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: nonenone
Illicit drugs: has strengthened money laundering controls, but money laundering remains a concern due to Liechtenstein's sophisticated offshore financial services sector