Country Profile: Tajikistan

Tajikistan is a landlocked country located in Central Asia, bordered by Afghanistan, China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. It has a population of approximately 10.4 million people, primarily comprising ethnic Tajiks and Uzbeks. The economy is largely reliant on agriculture, remittances, and a limited private sector, facing challenges like corruption and drug trafficking. Governed as a presidential republic, the political landscape is characterized by limited democratic practices, with President Emomali RAHMON holding significant power since 1992.

Geography

Tajikistan features a mountainous terrain, predominantly composed of the Alay Mountains in the north and the Pamirs in the southeast, making it one of the highest countries in the world. The climate varies from mid-latitude continental to polar conditions in the Pamirs, with hot summers and mild winters. The nation is entirely landlocked and has no coastline, relying on its land borders with neighboring countries.

144,100 sq km total area, slightly smaller than Wisconsin.
3,186 m average elevation.
1,357 km border with Afghanistan.
28.1% of land used for agriculture (2022).
Natural resources include hydropower, uranium, and various metals.

People and Society

The population of Tajikistan is approximately 10.4 million, with a high percentage of youth, as around 36.9% are aged 0-14 years. The country is predominantly Muslim, with about 98% of its population practicing the faith. Ethnic Tajiks make up the majority, while Uzbeks are the largest minority group. Tajik is the official language, closely followed by a significant number of Uzbek speakers.

22.8 years median age (2024).
25.8 births/1,000 population birth rate (2024).
71.9 years life expectancy at birth (2024).
1.87 physicians/1,000 population (2023).
28.2% of the population lives in urban areas (2023).

Economy

The economy of Tajikistan is classified as lower middle-income, heavily reliant on agriculture, remittances, and foreign aid. The country exports significant amounts of gold, cotton, and aluminum but continues to struggle with high poverty rates and economic vulnerability. The economy has shown robust growth rates over recent years, yet it remains plagued by corruption and illicit activities.

$50.37 billion estimated real GDP (2024).
8.4% real GDP growth rate (2024).
47.9% of GDP is from remittances (2024).
11.7% unemployment rate (2024).
20.4% of the population lives below the national poverty line (2023).

Government

Tajikistan is a presidential republic, with the President holding extensive powers, including the ability to amend the constitution and oversee elections. The current President, Emomali RAHMON, has been in power since 1992, and his rule has been characterized by a lack of political competition and limited civil liberties. The government operates a bicameral parliamentary system comprised of the House of Representatives and the National Assembly.

Independence from the Soviet Union on 9 September 1991.
Administrative divisions include 2 provinces and 1 autonomous province.
18 years is the minimum voting age.
100% of the population has access to electricity (2022).
Political parties include the People’s Democratic Party of Tajikistan (PDPT), which dominates the political landscape.

Military and Security

The Tajikistani military comprises Ground Forces, Mobile Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, and the Tajik National Guard. Tajikistan's military strategy focuses on national defense and counter-terrorism, particularly concerning neighboring Afghanistan. The country receives significant military assistance from Russia and participates in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

1.8% of GDP allocated to military expenditures (2024).
Approximately 10,000 active military personnel (2025).
Compulsory military service for males aged 18-27.
Collaboration with Russia includes joint military exercises and equipment supplies.
Estimated 5-10,000 active personnel in paramilitary forces (2025).

Energy

Tajikistan is predominantly reliant on hydroelectric power for its energy needs, with a very small portion coming from fossil fuels. The country has made significant strides in improving access to electricity, with virtually universal coverage.

100% electrification rate across the total population (2022).
92.6% of electricity generation comes from hydroelectric sources (2023).
6.481 million kW of installed generating capacity (2023).
15.275 billion kWh of total electricity consumption (2023).
714.025 million kWh imported electricity (2023).

Environment

Tajikistan faces several environmental challenges, including air pollution, water resource mismanagement, and soil erosion. It is a party to various international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these issues, but implementation remains a challenge.

28.1% of land is used for agriculture (2022).
53.65 µg/m³ particulate matter emissions (2019).
21.91 billion cubic meters of total renewable water resources (2020).
A significant 8.616 million metric tons of CO2 emissions (2023).
Extensive water pollution from agricultural runoff and untreated waste.

Transportation

The transportation infrastructure in Tajikistan includes a limited network of railways and roads, primarily serving urban and rural areas. Air travel is facilitated by several airports, but overall connectivity remains constrained.

19 airports planned by 2025.
680 km of railways (2014).
1 heliport planned by 2025.
502,000 fixed-line subscriptions (2021).
11.6 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2021).

Communications

Tajikistan's communications sector has been growing, with a significant number of mobile phone subscriptions relative to the population. Internet access is becoming increasingly available, although the penetration rate remains limited.

57% of the population are internet users (2023).
5 fixed-line subscriptions per 100 inhabitants (2022).
119 mobile subscriptions per 100 inhabitants (2021).
Limited number of 6,000 broadband fixed subscriptions (2022).
The state controls much of the media sector, including national television and radio stations.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	10,394,063	Estimated for 2024
Total Area	144,100 sq km
Real GDP (PPP)	$50.37 billion	Estimated for 2024
Unemployment Rate	11.7%	Estimated for 2024
Birth Rate	25.8 births/1,000	Estimated for 2024
Life Expectancy	71.9 years	Estimated for 2024
Military Expenditures	1.8% of GDP	Estimated for 2024
Electrification Rate	100%	Estimated for 2022
Urban Population	28.2%	Estimated for 2023
Agricultural Land Use	28.1%	Estimated for 2022