Country Profile: Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is a secular nation located at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, bordered by the Caspian Sea to the east and neighboring countries including Iran and Russia. With a population of approximately 10.7 million people, it has a predominantly Turkic and Shia Muslim demographic. The country has a mixed economy heavily reliant on oil and gas exports, which has supported infrastructure development, although it still grapples with corruption and authoritarian governance. The political landscape has been dominated by the Aliyev family since the 1990s, following its independence from the Soviet Union.

Geography

Azerbaijan is situated in Southwestern Asia, bordered by the Caspian Sea, Iran, and Russia, with a small portion extending into Europe. The country's terrain features a mix of flat lowlands and mountainous regions, including the Great Caucasus Mountains. It experiences a dry, semiarid steppe climate.

Total area: 86,600 sq km
Land boundaries: 2,468 km total, sharing borders with Armenia, Georgia, Iran, Russia, and Turkey.
Elevation: Ranges from the highest point at 4,466 m (Bazarduzu Dagi) to the lowest at -28 m (Caspian Sea).
Natural resources: Includes petroleum, natural gas, and various metals.
Irrigated land: Approximately 14,693 sq km as of 2022.

People and Society

Azerbaijan's population is estimated at 10,694,370 in 2025, with a high literacy rate of 99.8%. The country is ethnically diverse, predominantly Azerbaijani (94.8%), with significant populations of other ethnic groups. The major religion is Islam, primarily Shia.

Urban population: Comprises 57.6% of the total population as of 2023.
Median age: Approximately 34.8 years in 2025.
Birth rate: Estimated at 11.13 births per 1,000 population in 2025.
Life expectancy at birth: 75.9 years in 2024.
Infant mortality rate: 10.7 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2025.

Economy

Azerbaijan has an upper-middle-income economy heavily reliant on its oil sector, with minimal diversification into other industries. The country has seen economic growth driven by oil revenues, with significant investments aimed at infrastructure development.

GDP (PPP): Approximately $225.198 billion in 2024.
Unemployment rate: Estimated at 5.6% in 2024.
Real GDP growth rate: Anticipated at 4.1% in 2024.
Exports: Totaling around $34.113 billion in 2024, majorly comprising petroleum products.
Public debt: Projected at 16.8% of GDP in 2021.

Government

Azerbaijan operates as a presidential republic with a political system characterized by a strong executive branch. The current president is Ilham Aliyev, who has been in power since 2003.

Capital: Baku, the lowest capital city in the world at approximately 28 m below sea level.
Legislative body: The unicameral National Assembly consists of 125 members.
Suffrage: Universal suffrage at age 18.
Constitution: The current constitution was adopted on 12 November 1995.
National holiday: Republic Day on 28 May, celebrating independence from Soviet rule.

Military and Security

Azerbaijan maintains a robust military structure capable of addressing regional security challenges, particularly regarding its long-standing conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh.

Active military personnel: Estimated at 100,000 in 2025.
Military expenditures: About 5.1% of GDP in 2024.
Service age: Compulsory military service for men aged 18-30.
Military equipment: Includes modern armaments from various countries.
National security focus: Primarily on territorial defense, especially concerning Armenia.

Energy

Energy resources play a crucial role in Azerbaijan's economy, particularly in oil and natural gas production. The majority of the country’s electricity is generated from fossil fuels.

Total petroleum production: About 618,000 barrels per day (2023).
Natural gas production: Estimated at 35.775 billion cubic meters in 2023.
Electricity access: 100% of the population had access to electricity in 2022.
Installed generating capacity: 8.383 million kW in 2023.
Energy consumption per capita: Approximately 66.467 million Btu in 2023.

Environment

Azerbaijan faces several environmental challenges, including pollution and significant water management issues.

Water withdrawal: Total of 11.962 billion cubic meters for agriculture (2022).
Carbon dioxide emissions: Approximately 38.892 million metric tonnes in 2023.
Urbanization: The urban population growth rate is projected at 1.38% annually.
Environmental agreements: Participates in multiple international frameworks, such as the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
Solid waste recycling: Approximately 14.4% of municipal solid waste was recycled in 2022.

Transportation

The transportation infrastructure in Azerbaijan includes a network of railways, roads, and air transport services, facilitating domestic and international connectivity.

Airports: Total of 32 as of 2025.
Railway network: Stretches approximately 2,944.3 km.
Civil aircraft: Registered under the prefix 4K.
Merchant marine: Comprises 312 vessels.
Heliports: Total of 5 operational heliports.

Communications

Azerbaijan's communication system is rapidly evolving, with significant internet penetration and mobile phone usage among the population.

Internet users: 89% of the population had access to the internet in 2023.
Mobile cellular subscriptions: Approximately 11.3 million by 2024.
Broadband subscriptions: 2.15 million fixed broadband subscriptions as of 2023.
Telephone subscriptions: About 1.33 million fixed-line telephone subscriptions in 2024.
Television: Dominated by state channels, with a growing presence of private broadcasters.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	10,694,370 (2025 est.)
Area	86,600 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$225.198 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	5.6% (2024 est.)
Birth Rate	11.13 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Life Expectancy	75.9 years (2024 est.)
Total Energy Consumption per Capita	66.467 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures	5.1% of GDP (2024 est.)
Urban Population	57.6% of total population (2023)
Literacy Rate	99.8% (2023 est.)