Country Profile: Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan, located in Central Asia, is a landlocked country rich in natural resources, particularly natural gas, which significantly influences its economy. The nation has a population of approximately 5.7 million people, predominantly ethnic Turkmen, and its governance is characterized by an authoritarian presidential republic. Despite its wealth in hydrocarbons, the economy faces challenges due to global energy market fluctuations and rising unemployment rates.

Geography

Turkmenistan is situated between Iran and Kazakhstan, bordering the Caspian Sea to the west. The country covers an area of approximately 488,100 square kilometers, featuring a predominantly flat terrain with vast sandy deserts. The mean elevation is about 230 meters, with the highest point being Gora Ayribaba at 3,139 meters.

488,100 sq km - Total area
4,158 km - Total land borders with Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan
84.2% - Percentage of land used for agriculture (2023)
5% - Forested area (2023)
50% - Approximately half of the population resides around the capital, Ashgabat

People and Society

The population of Turkmenistan is estimated to be around 5.7 million, with a significant majority identifying as ethnic Turkmen. The official language is Turkmen, spoken by about 72% of the population, and the dominant religion is Islam. The country has a high literacy rate of 99.9% and a median age of 31.2 years.

5,744,151 - Estimated population (2024)
24.5% - Population aged 0-14 years
68.6% - Population aged 15-64 years
72.4 years - Life expectancy at birth (2024)
54% - Urban population (2023)

Economy

Turkmenistan's economy is classified as an upper-middle-income economy and is heavily reliant on its extensive natural gas and petroleum reserves. The country has been diversifying its energy exports while facing issues related to economic hardships due to price fluctuations in global energy markets.

$134.555 billion - Real GDP (PPP) (2024 est.)
4.4% - Unemployment rate (2024 est.)
11.3% - Agricultural sector contribution to GDP (2023 est.)
39.3% - Industrial sector contribution to GDP (2023 est.)
49.4% - Services sector contribution to GDP (2023 est.)

Government

Turkmenistan is governed as an authoritarian presidential republic. The capital, Ashgabat, hosts the president, who serves both as the head of state and government. The latest presidential election occurred in March 2022, resulting in Serdar Berdimuhamedov's election with 73% of the vote.

37 57 N, 58 23 E - Geographic coordinates of the capital, Ashgabat
18 years - Suffrage is granted to citizens at the age of 18
56 - Total seats in the unicameral Assembly (Mejlis)
5 years - Term length for Assembly members
27 October 1991 - Independence Day from the Soviet Union

Military and Security

Turkmenistan maintains a military focused on national defense, consisting of the Ground Forces, Air Force, and Navy. Compulsory military service is required for males aged 18-27, and military expenditures are relatively stable.

35,000 - Estimated active military personnel (2025)
1.9% - Military expenditure as a percentage of GDP (2019)
24 months - Compulsory service obligation for male conscripts
Internal Troops - Include police and border guards

Energy

The country possesses vast energy resources, with a focus on natural gas and petroleum. Turkmenistan exports significant quantities of natural gas to neighboring countries and holds substantial reserves.

84.277 billion cubic meters - Natural gas production (2023 est.)
272,000 bbl/day - Total petroleum production (2023 est.)
100% - Electricity generation sources from fossil fuels (2023)
9 billion kWh - Electricity exports (2023)

Environment

Environmental challenges in Turkmenistan include soil pollution, salination from poor irrigation, and desertification. The government is involved in various international environmental agreements, focusing on biodiversity and climate change.

84.2% - Percentage of land used for agriculture (2023)
106.215 million metric tonnes - Total CO2 emissions (2023 est.)
15.3% - Percentage of municipal solid waste recycled (2022 est.)
453.5 million cubic meters - Municipal water withdrawal (2022 est.)

Transportation

Turkmenistan has a developing transportation infrastructure, including railways, airports, and shipping capabilities through its merchant marine.

5,113 km - Total railway length (2017)
23 - Total number of airports (2025)
73 - Total vessels in the merchant marine (2023)

Communications

The communication sectors in Turkmenistan are state-controlled, with limited access to global information. Mobile phone usage has been growing, alongside a limited internet user base.

6.25 million - Mobile cellular subscriptions (2021)
802,000 - Fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2021)
21% - Percentage of the population using the internet (2017 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	5,744,151	Estimated for 2024
Area	488,100 sq km	Total land area
GDP (PPP)	$134.555 billion	Estimated for 2024
Unemployment Rate	4.4%	Estimated for 2024
Birth Rate	16.8 births/1,000 population	Estimated for 2024
Life Expectancy	72.4 years	Estimated for 2024
Military Personnel	35,000	Estimated for 2025
Electricity Access	100%	Electrification of the total population
Urban Population	54%	Urbanization rate as of 2023
CO2 Emissions	106.215 million metric tonnes	Estimated for 2023