Country Guide

Kazakhstan Facts

Geography People and Society Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues

Geography

Location:
Central Asia, northwest of China; a small portion west of the Ural (Zhayyq) River in eastern-most Europe


Geographic coordinates:
48 00 N, 68 00 E


Map references:
Asia


Area:
total:2,724,900 sq kmcountry comparison to the world: 9
land:2,699,700 sq km
water:25,200 sq km


Area - comparative:
slightly less than four times the size of Texas


Land boundaries:
total:12,185 km
border countries:China 1,533 km, Kyrgyzstan 1,224 km, Russia 6,846 km, Turkmenistan 379 km, Uzbekistan 2,203 km


Coastline:
0 km (landlocked); note - Kazakhstan borders the Aral Sea, now split into two bodies of water (1,070 km), and the Caspian Sea (1,894 km)


Maritime claims:
lowest point:Vpadina Kaundy -132 m
highest point:Khan Tangiri Shyngy (Pik Khan-Tengri) 6,995 m


Natural resources:
major deposits of petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, manganese, chrome ore, nickel, cobalt, copper, molybdenum, lead, zinc, bauxite, gold, uranium


Land use:
arable land:8.82%
permanent crops:0.03%
other:91.15% (2011)


    Irrigated land:
20,660 sq km (2010)


Total renewable water resources:
107.5 cu km (2011)


Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
107.5 cu km (2011)

Natural hazards:
earthquakes in the south; mudslides around Almaty


Environment - current issues:
radioactive or toxic chemical sites associated with former defense industries and test ranges scattered throughout the country pose health risks for humans and animals; industrial pollution is severe in some cities; because the two main rivers that flowed into the Aral Sea have been diverted for irrigation, it is drying up and leaving behind a harmful layer of chemical pesticides and natural salts; these substances are then picked up by the wind and blown into noxious dust storms; pollution in the Caspian Sea; soil pollution from overuse of agricultural chemicals and salination from poor infrastructure and wasteful irrigation practices


Environment - international agreements:
party to:Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol


Geography - note:
world's largest landlocked country; Russia leases approximately 6,000 sq km of territory enclosing the Baykonur Cosmodrome; in January 2004, Kazakhstan and Russia extended the lease to 2050

People and Society

Nationality:
noun: Kazakhstani(s)
adjective:Kazakhstani


Ethnic groups:
Kazakh (Qazaq) 63.1%, Russian 23.7%, Uzbek 2.9%, Ukrainian 2.1%, Uighur 1.4%, Tatar 1.3%, German 1.1%, other 4.4% (2009 est.)


Languages:
Kazakh (Qazaq, state language) 64.4%, Russian (official, used in everyday business, designated the 'language of interethnic communication') 95% (2001 est.)


Religions:
Muslim 70.2%, Christian 26.2% (mainly Russian Orthodox), other 0.2%, atheist 2.8%, unspecified 0.5% (2009 est.)


Population:
17,948,816 (July 2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 62


Age structure:
0-14 years:25.1% (male 2,247,628/female 2,254,744)
15-24 years:16.1% (male 1,469,275/female 1,418,175)
25-54 years:42.6% (male 3,720,498/female 3,927,626)
55-64 years:9.2% (male 724,683/female 935,416)
65 years and over:6.8% (male 429,565/female 821,206) (2014 est.)


Dependency ratios:
total dependency ratio:48.7 %
youth dependency ratio:38.7 %
elderly dependency ratio:10 %
potential support ratio:10 (2014 est.)


Median age:
total:29.7 years
male:28.4 years
female:31.1 years (2014 est.)


Population growth rate:
1.17% (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 103


Birth rate:
19.61 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 88


Death rate:
8.31 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 88


Net migration rate:
0.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 72


Urbanization:
urban population:53.6% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization:0.87% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)


Major urban areas - population:
Almaty 1.426 million; ASTANA (capital) 664,000 (2011)


Sex ratio:
at birth:0.94 male(s)/female
0-14 years:1 male(s)/female
15-24 years:1.04 male(s)/female
25-54 years:0.95 male(s)/female
55-64 years:0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.52 male(s)/female
total population:0.92 male(s)/female (2014 est.)


Mother's mean age at first birth:
25 (2011 est.)


Maternal mortality rate:
51 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)


Infant mortality rate:
total:21.61 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world: 83
male:24.34 deaths/1,000 live births
female:19.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)


    Life expectancy at birth:
total population:70.24 yearscountry comparison to the world: 150
male:64.98 years
female:75.17 years (2014 est.)


Total fertility rate:
2.34 children born/woman (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 91


Contraceptive prevalence rate:
51% (2011)


Health expenditures:
3.9% of GDP (2011)


Physicians density:
3.84 physicians/1,000 population (2011)


Hospital bed density:
7.6 beds/1,000 population (2009)


Drinking water source:
improved:
urban: 99.2% of population
rural: 86% of population
total: 93.1% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0.8% of population
rural: 14% of population
total: 6.9% of population (2012 est.)


Sanitation facility access:
improved:
urban: 97% of population
rural: 98% of population
total: 97.5% of population
unimproved:
urban: 3% of population
rural: 2% of population
total: 2.5% of population (2012 est.)


HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2009 est.)country comparison to the world: 153


HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
13,000 (2009 est.)country comparison to the world: 97


HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 500 (2009 est.)country comparison to the world: 90


Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
23.7% (2008)country comparison to the world: 74


Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
3.7% (2011)country comparison to the world: 100


Education expenditures:
3.1% of GDP (2009)country comparison to the world: 138

Literacy:
definition:age 15 and over can read and write
total population:99.7%
male:99.8%
female:99.7% (2009 est.)


School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total:15 years
male:15 years
female:15 years (2012)


Child labor - children ages 5-14:



Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total:3.9%country comparison to the world: 139
male:2.9%
female:5.1% (2012)

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Kazakhstan
conventional short form:Kazakhstan
local long form:Qazaqstan Respublikasy
local short form:Qazaqstan
former:Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic


Government type:
republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little power outside the executive branch


Capital:
name:Astana
geographic coordinates:51 10 N, 71 25 E
time difference:UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
note:Kazakhstan has two time zones


Administrative divisions:
14 provinces (oblystar, singular - oblys) and 3 cities* (qalalar, singular - qala); Almaty Oblysy, Almaty Qalasy*, Aqmola Oblysy (Astana), Aqtobe Oblysy, Astana Qalasy*, Atyrau Oblysy, Batys Qazaqstan Oblysy [West Kazakhstan] (Oral), Bayqongyr Qalasy [Baykonur]*, Mangghystau Oblysy (Aqtau), Ongtustik Qazaqstan Oblysy [South Kazakhstan] (Shymkent), Pavlodar Oblysy, Qaraghandy Oblysy, Qostanay Oblysy, Qyzylorda Oblysy, Shyghys Qazaqstan Oblysy [East Kazakhstan] (Oskemen), Soltustik Qazaqstan Oblysy [North Kazakhstan] (Petropavlovsk), Zhambyl Oblysy (Taraz)


Independence:
16 December 1991 (from the Soviet Union)


National holiday:
Independence Day, 16 December (1991)


Constitution:
previous 1937, 1978 (preindependence ); latest adopted 28 January 1993, approved by referendum 30 August 1995, effective 5 September 1995; amended 1998, 2007, 2011 (2012)


Legal system:
civil law system influenced by Roman-Germanic law and by the theory and practice of the Russian Federation


International law organization participation:
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt


Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal


Executive branch:
chief of state:President Nursultan Abishuly NAZARBAYEV (chairman of the Supreme Soviet from 22 February 1990, elected president 1 December 1991)
head of government:Prime Minister Karim MASIMOV (since 2 April 2014); First Deputy Prime Minister Bakytzhan SAGINTAYEV (since 16 January 2013); Deputy Prime Ministers Gulshara ABDYKALIKOVA (since 28 November 2013), Aset ISEKESHEV (since 25 September 2012); Bakyt SULTANOV (since 6 November 2013)
cabinet:Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections:president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held on 3 April 2011 (next to be held in 2016); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president, with Mazhilis approval; note - constitutional amendments of May 2007 shortened the presidential term from seven years to five years and established a two-consecutive-term limit; NAZARBAYEV has official status as the 'First President of Kazakhstan' and is allowed unlimited terms
note:constitutional amendments of February 2011 moved election date from 2012 to April 2011 but kept five-year term; subsequent election to take place in 2016
election results:Nursultan Abishuly NAZARBAYEV reelected president; percent of vote - Nursultan Abishuly NAZARBAYEV 95.5%, other 4.5%


Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (47 seats; 15 members are appointed by the president; 32 members elected by local assemblies; members serve six-year terms, but elections are staggered with half of the members up for re-election every three years) and the Mazhilis (107 seats; 9 out of the 107 Mazhilis members elected by the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, a presidentially appointed advisory body designed to represent the country's ethnic minorities; non-appointed members are popularly elected to serve five-year terms)
elections:Senate - (indirect) last held in August 2011 (next to be held in 2014); Mazhilis - last held on 15 January 2012 (next to be held in 2017)
election results:Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Nur Otan 16; Mazhilis - percent of vote by party - Nur-Otan 81%, Ak Zhol 7.5%, Communist People's Party 7.2%, other 4.3%; seats by party - Nur-Otan 83, Ak Zhol 8, Communist People's Party 7


    Judicial branch:
highest court(s):Supreme Court of the Republic (consists of 44 members); Constitutional Council (consists of 7 members)
judge selection and term of office:Supreme Court judges proposed by the president of ther epublic on recommendation of the Supreme Judicial Council, and confirmed by the Senate; judge tenure NA; Constitutional Council - the president of the republic, the Senate chairperson, the Majilis chairperson each appoints one member for a 3-year term and each appoints one member for a 6-year term; chairperson of the Constitutional Council appointed by the president of the republic for a 6-year term
subordinate courts:regional and local courts


Political parties and leaders:
Ak Zhol Party (Bright Path) [Azat PERUASHEV]
Alga [Vladimir KOZLOV] (unregistered and banned as extremist in November 2012)
Auyl (Village) [Gani KALIYEV]
Azat (Freedom) Party [Bolat ABILOV] (formerly True Ak Zhol Party)
Birlik (Unity) [Seril SULTANGALI] (Birlik is an April 2013 merger of Adilet (Justice; formerly Democratic Party of Kazakhstan) and Rukhaniyat (Spirituality))
NSDP [Zharmakhan TUYAKBAY]
Communist Party of Kazakhstan or KPK [Serikbolsyn ABDILDIN] (suspended by court decision)
Communist People's Party of Kazakhstan [Vladislav KOSAREV]
National Social Democratic Party or NSDP [Zharmakhan TUYAKBAY]
Nur Otan (Fatherland's Ray of Light) [Nursultan NAZARBAYEV, Nurlan NIGMATULIN] (the Agrarian, Asar, and Civic parties merged with Otan)
Patriots' Party [Gani KASYMOV]


Political pressure groups and leaders:
Adil-Soz [Tamara KALEYEVA]


International organization participation:
ADB, CICA, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, EITI (candidate country), FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer), ZC


Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Kayrat UMAROV (since 14 January 2013)
chancery:1401 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone:[1] (202) 232-5488
FAX:[1] (202) 232-5845
consulate(s) general:New York


Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires John ORDWAY
embassy:Rakhymzhan Koshkarbayev Ave. No 3, Astana 010010
mailing address:use embassy street address
telephone:[7] (7172) 70-21-00
FAX:[7] (7172) 54-09-14


Flag description:
a gold sun with 32 rays above a soaring golden steppe eagle, both centered on a sky blue background; the hoist side displays a national ornamental pattern 'koshkar-muiz' (the horns of the ram) in gold; the blue color is of religious significance to the Turkic peoples of the country, and so symbolizes cultural and ethnic unity; it also represents the endless sky as well as water; the sun, a source of life and energy, exemplifies wealth and plenitude; the sun's rays are shaped like grain, which is the basis of abundance and prosperity; the eagle has appeared on the flags of Kazakh tribes for centuries and represents freedom, power, and the flight to the future


National symbol(s):
golden eagle


National anthem:
name:'Menin Qazaqstanim' (My Kazakhstan)

lyrics/music:Zhumeken NAZHIMEDENOV and Nursultan NAZARBAYEV/Shamshi KALDAYAKOV
note:adopted 2006; President Nursultan NAZARBAYEV played a role in revising the lyrics

Economy

Economy - overview:
Kazakhstan, geographically the largest of the former Soviet republics, excluding Russia, possesses enormous fossil fuel reserves and plentiful supplies of other minerals and metals, such as uranium, copper, and zinc. It also has a large agricultural sector featuring livestock and grain. In 2002 Kazakhstan became the first country in the former Soviet Union to receive an investment-grade credit rating. Extractive industries have been and will continue to be the engine of Kazakhstan's growth, although the country is aggressively pursuing diversification strategies. Landlocked, with restricted access to the high seas, Kazakhstan relies on its neighbors to export its products, especially oil and grain. Although its Caspian Sea ports, pipelines, and rail lines carrying oil have been upgraded, civil aviation and roadways continue to need attention. Telecoms are improving, but require considerable investment, as does the information technology base. Supply and distribution of electricity can be erratic because of regional dependencies, but the country is moving forward with plans to improve reliability of electricity and gas supply to its population. At the end of 2007, global financial markets froze up and the loss of capital inflows to Kazakhstani banks caused a credit crunch. The subsequent and sharp fall of oil and commodity prices in 2008 aggravated the economic situation, and Kazakhstan plunged into recession. While the global financial crisis took a significant toll on Kazakhstan's economy, it has rebounded well, helped by prudent government measures. Rising commodity prices have helped the recovery. Despite solid macroeconomic indicators, the government realizes that its economy suffers from an overreliance on oil and extractive industries, the so-called 'Dutch disease.' In response, Kazakhstan has embarked on an ambitious diversification program, aimed at developing targeted sectors like transport, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, petrochemicals and food processing. In 2010 Kazakhstan joined the Belarus-Kazakhstan-Russia Customs Union in an effort to boost foreign investment and improve trade relationships.


GDP (purchasing power parity):
$243.6 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
$231.9 billion (2012 est.)
$220.6 billion (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


GDP (official exchange rate):
$224.9 billion (2013 est.)


GDP - real growth rate:
5% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
5.1% (2012 est.)
7.5% (2011 est.)


GDP - per capita (PPP):
$14,100 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
$13,700 (2012 est.)
$13,200 (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


Gross national saving:
28.8% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
23.9% of GDP (2012 est.)
28.4% of GDP (2011 est.)


GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption:51%
government consumption:12.4%
investment in fixed capital:22.1%
investment in inventories:2.5%
exports of goods and services:44.6%
imports of goods and services:-32.6%
(2013 est.)


GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture:5.2%
industry:37.9%
services:56.9% (2011 est.)


Agriculture - products:
grain (mostly spring wheat and barley), potatoes, vegetables, melons; livestock


Industries:
oil, coal, iron ore, manganese, chromite, lead, zinc, copper, titanium, bauxite, gold, silver, phosphates, sulfur, uranium, iron and steel; tractors and other agricultural machinery, electric motors, construction materials


Industrial production growth rate:
2.1% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122

Labor force:
9.022 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52


Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture:25.8%
industry:11.9%
services:62.3% (2012)


Unemployment rate:
5.3% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
5.3% (2012 est.)


    Population below poverty line:
5.3% (2011 est.)


Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%:3.9%
highest 10%:23.7% (2011 est.)


Distribution of family income - Gini index:
28.9 (2011)
country comparison to the world: 122
31.5 (2003)


Budget:
revenues:$43.88 billion
expenditures:$49 billion (2013 est.)


Taxes and other revenues:
19.5% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-2.3% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93


Public debt:
15.6% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
13.2% of GDP (2012 est.)


Fiscal year:
calendar year


Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5.8% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
5.1% (2012 est.)


Central bank discount rate:
5.5% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
7.5% (31 December 2011 est.)


Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
6.6% (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of narrow money:
$24.51 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
$25.82 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of broad money:
$70.36 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
$65.71 billion (31 December 2011 est.)


Stock of domestic credit:
$87.05 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
$83.08 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Market value of publicly traded shares:
$23.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Current account balance:
$1.965 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
$640.5 million (2012 est.)


Exports:
$87.23 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
$86.93 billion (2012 est.)


Exports - commodities:
oil and oil products, natural gas, ferrous metals, chemicals, machinery, grain, wool, meat, coal


Exports - partners:
China 19.3%, Italy 18.1%, Netherlands 8.8%, France 6.6%, Switzerland 5.8%, Austria 5.8% (2012)


Imports:
$52.03 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
$49.08 billion (2012 est.)


Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, metal products, foodstuffs


Imports - partners:
China 28%, Ukraine 10.9%, Germany 8.5%, US 7.9% (2012)


Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$29.34 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
$28.28 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Debt - external:
$131.3 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
$133.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$123.5 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
$111.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$26.53 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
$25.53 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Exchange rates:
tenge (KZT) per US dollar -
151.8 (2013 est.)
149.11 (2012 est.)
147.36 (2010 est.)
147.5 (2009)
120.25 (2008)

Energy

Electricity - production:
90.53 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36


Electricity - consumption:
88.11 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33


Electricity - exports:
1.8 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43


Electricity - imports:
3.7 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43


Electricity - installed generating capacity:
18.73 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40


Electricity - from fossil fuels:
88.2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82


Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121


Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
11.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109


Electricity - from other renewable sources:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190


Crude oil - production:
1.606 million bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17


Crude oil - exports:
1.406 million bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12


Crude oil - imports:
119,600 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46


    Crude oil - proved reserves:
30 billion bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11


Refined petroleum products - production:
288,600 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42


Refined petroleum products - consumption:
244,200 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52


Refined petroleum products - exports:
149,800 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37


Refined petroleum products - imports:
94,430 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52


Natural gas - production:
20.2 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31


Natural gas - consumption:
10.2 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45


Natural gas - exports:
9.7 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24


Natural gas - imports:
10.7 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28


Natural gas - proved reserves:
2.407 trillion cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14


Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
195.4 million Mt (2011 est.)

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use:
4.34 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 40


Telephones - mobile cellular:
28.731 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 37


Telephone system:
general assessment:inherited an outdated telecommunications network from the Soviet era requiring modernization
domestic:intercity by landline and microwave radio relay; number of fixed-line connections is gradually increasing and fixed-line teledensity now roughly 25 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage has increased rapidly and the subscriber base now exceeds 140 per 100 persons
international:country code - 7; international traffic with other former Soviet republics and China carried by landline and microwave radio relay and with other countries by satellite and by the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic cable; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (2008)



    Broadcast media:
state owns nearly all radio and TV transmission facilities and operates national TV and radio networks; nearly all nationwide TV networks are wholly or partly owned by the government; some former state-owned media outlets have been privatized; households with satellite dishes have access to foreign media; a small number of commercial radio stations operate along with state-run radio stations; recent legislation requires all media outlets to register with the government and all TV providers to broadcast in digital format by 2015 (2008)


Internet country code:
.kz


Internet hosts:
67,464 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 90


Internet users:
5.299 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 44

Transportation

Airports
96 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 60


Airports - with paved runways
total:63
over 3,047 m:10
2,438 to 3,047 m:25
1,524 to 2,437 m:15
914 to 1,523 m:5
under 914 m:8 (2013)


Airports - with unpaved runways
total:33
over 3,047 m:5
2,438 to 3,047 m:7
1,524 to 2,437 m:3
914 to 1,523 m:5
under 914 m:
13 (2013)


Heliports
3 (2013)


Pipelines
condensate 658 km; gas 12,432 km; oil 11,313 km; refined products 1,095 km; water 1,465 km (2013)


Railways
total:15,333 kmcountry comparison to the world: 18
broad gauge:15,333 km 1.520-m gauge (4,000 km electrified) (2012)


    Roadways
total:97,418 kmcountry comparison to the world: 46
paved:87,140 km
unpaved:10,278 km (2012)


Waterways
4,000 km (on the Ertis (Irtysh) River (80%) and Syr Darya (Syrdariya) River) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 27


Merchant marine
total:11country comparison to the world: 111
by type:cargo 1, petroleum tanker 8, refrigerated cargo 1, specialized tanker 1
foreign-owned:3 (Austria 1, Ireland 1, Turkey 1) (2010)



Ports and terminals
major seaport(s):Aqtau (Shevchenko), Atyrau (Gur'yev)
river port(s):Oskemen (Ust-Kamenogorsk), Pavlodar, Semey (Semipalatinsk) (Irtysh River)

Military

Military branches
Kazakhstan Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Navy, Air Mobile Forces, Air Defense Forces (2013)


Military service age and obligation
18 is the legal minimum age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation is 2 years, but Kazakhstan may be transitioning to a contract force; 19 is the legal minimum age for voluntary service; military cadets in intermediate (ages 15-17) and higher (ages 17-21) education institutes are classified as military service personnel (2012)


Manpower available for military service
males age 16-49:4,163,629
females age 16-49:4,179,051 (2010 est.)


Manpower fit for military service
males age 16-49:2,909,999
females age 16-49:3,528,169 (2010 est.)


    Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
male:125,322
female:119,541 (2010 est.)


Military expenditures
1.21% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 84
0.97% of GDP (2011)
1.21% of GDP (2010)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international
Kyrgyzstan has yet to ratify the 2001 boundary delimitation with Kazakhstan; field demarcation of the boundaries commenced with Uzbekistan in 2004 and with Turkmenistan in 2005; ongoing demarcation with Russia began in 2007; demarcation with China was completed in 2002; creation of a seabed boundary with Turkmenistan in the Caspian Sea remains under discussion; Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia ratified Caspian seabed delimitation treaties based on equidistance, while Iran continues to insist on a one-fifth slice of the sea


    Refugees and internally displaced persons
stateless persons:6,935 (2012)


Illicit drugs
significant illicit cultivation of cannabis for CIS markets, as well as limited cultivation of opium poppy and ephedra (for the drug ephedrine); limited government eradication of illicit crops; transit point for Southwest Asian narcotics bound for Russia and the rest of Europe; significant consumer of opiates
 Information/ Data by CIA - The World Factbook

LookForAttorney.com | Country Guide of Liechtenstein

Country Guide

Liechtenstein Facts

Geography People and Society Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues

Geography

Location:
Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland


Geographic coordinates:
47 16 N, 9 32 E


Map references:
Europe


Area:
total:160 sq kmcountry comparison to the world: 219
land:160 sq km
water:0 sq km


Area - comparative:
about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC


Land boundaries:
total:76 km
border countries:Austria 34.9 km, Switzerland 41.1 km


Coastline:
0 km (doubly landlocked)


Maritime claims:
lowest point:Ruggeller Riet 430 m
highest point:Vorder-Grauspitz 2,599 m


    Natural resources:
hydroelectric potential, arable land


Land use:
arable land:21.88%
permanent crops:0%
other:78.12% (2011)


Irrigated land:
NA


Natural hazards:
NA


Environment - current issues:
NA


Environment - international agreements:
party to:Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:Law of the Sea


Geography - note:
along with Uzbekistan, one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world; variety of microclimatic variations based on elevation

People and Society

Nationality:
noun: Liechtensteiner(s)
adjective:Liechtenstein


Ethnic groups:
Liechtensteiner 65.6%, other 34.4% (2000 census)


Languages:
German 94.5% (official) (Alemannic is the main dialect), Italian 1.1%, other 4.3% (2010 est.)


Religions:
Roman Catholic (official) 75.9%, Protestant Reformed 6.5%, Muslim 5.4%, Lutheran 1.3%, other 2.9%, none 5.4%, unspecified 2.6% (2010 est.)


Population:
37,313 (July 2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 214


Age structure:
0-14 years:15.7% (male 3,130/female 2,744)
15-24 years:11.7% (male 2,160/female 2,197)
25-54 years:43.1% (male 8,029/female 8,069)
55-64 years:13.4% (male 2,479/female 2,535)
65 years and over:15.4% (male 2,713/female 3,257) (2014 est.)


Median age:
total:42.4 years
male:41.3 years
female:43.5 years (2014 est.)


Population growth rate:
0.82% (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 134


Birth rate:
10.53 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 183


Death rate:
7.02 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 131


Net migration rate:
4.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 27


Urbanization:
urban population:14.4% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization:0.53% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)


Major urban areas - population:
VADUZ (capital) 5,000 (2011)


Sex ratio:
at birth:1.26 male(s)/female
0-14 years:1.14 male(s)/female
15-24 years:0.98 male(s)/female
25-54 years:1 male(s)/female
55-64 years:0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.81 male(s)/female
total population:0.98 male(s)/female (2014 est.)


    Infant mortality rate:
total:4.33 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world: 191
male:4.62 deaths/1,000 live births
female:3.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)


Life expectancy at birth:
total population:81.68 yearscountry comparison to the world: 13
male:79.52 years
female:84.4 years (2014 est.)


Total fertility rate:
1.69 children born/woman (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 173


HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA


HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA


HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA


Education expenditures:
2.1% of GDP (2008)country comparison to the world: 166

Literacy:
definition:age 10 and over can read and write
total population:100%
male:100%
female:100%


School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total:15 years
male:16 years
female:14 years (2011)

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Principality of Liechtenstein
conventional short form:Liechtenstein
local long form:Fuerstentum Liechtenstein
local short form:Liechtenstein


Government type:
hereditary 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


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:
Assumption Day, 15 August


Constitution:
previous 1862; latest adopted 5 October 1921; amended many times, last in 2011 (2013)


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


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 Prince ALOIS, son of the monarch (born 11 June 1968); note - on 15 August 2004, HANS ADAM transferred the official duties of the ruling prince to ALOIS, but HANS ADAM retains status of chief of state
head of government:Head of Government (Prime Minister) Adrian HASLER (since 27 March 2013)
cabinet:Cabinet elected by the Parliament, confirmed by the monarch
elections:the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party in the Landtag 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:
unicameral Parliament or Landtag (25 seats; members elected by popular vote under proportional representation to serve four-year terms)
elections:last held on 3 February 2013 (next to be held in February 2017)
election results:percent of vote by party - FBP 40.0%, VU 33.5%, DU 15.3% FL 11.1%; seats by party - FBP 10, VU 8, DU 4, FL 3


Judicial branch:
highest court(s):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 judge tenure NA
subordinate courts:Court of Appeal or Obergericht (second instance), Court of Justice (first instance), Administrative Court, county courts


Political parties and leaders:
The Free List (Die Freie Liste) or FL [Wolfgang MARXER]
the independents (Die Unabhaengigen) or DU [Harry QUADERER]
Progressive Citizens' Party (Fortschrittliche Buergerpartei) or FBP [Alexander BATLINER]
Fatherland Union (Vaterlaendische Union) or VU [Jakob BUECHEL]


Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA


International organization participation:
CD, CE, EBRD, EFTA, IAEA, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WIPO, WTO


Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Claudia FRITSCHE (since 7 December 2000)
chancery:2900 K Street, NW, Suite 602B, Washington, DC 20007
telephone:[1] (202) 331-0590
FAX:[1] (202) 331-3221


Diplomatic representation from the US:
name:'Oben am jungen Rhein' (High Above the Young Rhine)

lyrics/music:Jakob Joseph JAUCH/Josef FROMMELT
note:adopted 1850, revised 1963; the anthem uses the tune of 'God Save the Queen'

Economy

Economy - overview:
Despite its small size and limited natural resources, Liechtenstein has developed into a prosperous, highly industrialized, free-enterprise economy with a vital financial service sector and likely the second highest per capita income in the world. The Liechtenstein economy is widely diversified with a large number of small businesses. Low business taxes - the maximum tax rate is 20% - 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 (EFTA) and the EU) since May 1995. The government is working to harmonize its economic policies with those of an integrated Europe. Since 2008, Liechtenstein has faced renewed international pressure - particularly from Germany - 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.


GDP (purchasing power parity):
$3.2 billion (2009)
country comparison to the world: 179
$3.216 billion (2008)
$3.159 billion (2007)


GDP (official exchange rate):
$5.113 billion (2010 est.)


GDP - real growth rate:
1.8% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
-0.5% (2009 est.)
3.1% (2007 est.)


GDP - per capita (PPP):
$89,400 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
$90,600 (2008 est.)
$89,700 (2007 est.)


GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture:8%
industry:37%
services:55% (2009)


Agriculture - 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:
35,830 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 202
note:51% of the labor force in Liechtenstein commuted daily from Austria, Switzerland, or Germany (2012)



Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture:0.8%
industry:39.4%
services:59.9% (2012)


    Unemployment rate:
2.3% (2012)
country comparison to the world: 18
2.5% (2011)


Population below poverty line:
NA%


Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%:NA%
highest 10%:NA%


Budget:
revenues:$995.3 million
expenditures:$890.4 million (2011 est.)


Taxes and other revenues:
25.2% of GDP (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-1.6% of GDP (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75


Fiscal year:
calendar year


Inflation rate (consumer prices):
-0.7% (2012)
country comparison to the world: 4
0.2% (2011)


Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA


Exports:
$3.801 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
$3.757 billion (2011 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:
$2.09 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
$2.218 billion (2011 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 (2001)
country comparison to the world: 201

Exchange rates:
Swiss francs (CHF) per US dollar -
0.9542 (2013)
0.9374 (2012)
1.0429 (2010)
1.0881 (2009)
1.0774 (2008)

Energy

Electricity - production:
145.3 million kWh (2012)
country comparison to the world: 189


Electricity - consumption:
1.36 billion kWh (2012)
country comparison to the world: 148


    Electricity - imports:
1.214 billion kWh (2012)
country comparison to the world: 63

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use:
20,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 185


Telephones - mobile cellular:
38,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 204


Telephone system:
general assessment:automatic telephone system
domestic:fixed-line and mobile-cellular services widely available; combined telephone service subscribership exceeds 150 per 100 persons
international:country code - 423; linked to Swiss networks by cable and microwave radio relay (2011)



    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 several radio stations in Liechtenstein (2008)


Internet country code:
.li


Internet hosts:
14,278 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 128


Internet users:
23,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 190

Transportation

Pipelines
gas 20 km (2013)


Railways
total:9 kmcountry comparison to the world: 134
standard gauge:9 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified)
note:belongs to the Austrian Railway System connecting Austria and Switzerland (2008)


    Roadways
total:380 kmcountry comparison to the world: 201
paved:380 km (2012)


Waterways

Military

Military branches
no regular military forces; National Police maintains close relations with neighboring forces (2013)


Manpower available for military service
males age 16-49:8,009 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service
males age 16-49:6,538
females age 16-49:6,746 (2010 est.)


    Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
male:219
female:211 (2010 est.)


Military - note
Liechtenstein has no military forces, but the modern National Police maintains close relations with neighboring forces. (2013)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international
none


Refugees and internally displaced persons
stateless persons:5 (2012)


    Illicit drugs
has strengthened money laundering controls, but money laundering remains a concern due to Liechtenstein's sophisticated offshore financial services sector
 Information/ Data by CIA - The World Factbook

LookForAttorney.com | Country Guide of Bhutan

Country Guide

Bhutan Facts

Geography People and Society Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues

Geography

Location:
Southern Asia, between China and India


Geographic coordinates:
27 30 N, 90 30 E


Map references:
Asia


Area:
total:38,394 sq kmcountry comparison to the world: 137
land:38,394 sq km
water:0 sq km


Area - comparative:
about one-half the size of Indiana


Land boundaries:
total:1,136 km
border countries:China 477 km, India 659 km


Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)


Maritime claims:
lowest point:Drangeme Chhu 97 m
highest point:Gangkar Puensum 7,570 m


Natural resources:
timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbonate


    Land use:
arable land:2.49%
permanent crops:0.46%
other:97.06% (2011)


Irrigated land:
319.1 sq km (2010)


Total renewable water resources:
78 cu km (2011)


Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
78 cu km (2011)

Natural hazards:
violent storms from the Himalayas are the source of the country's name, which translates as Land of the Thunder Dragon; frequent landslides during the rainy season


Environment - current issues:
soil erosion; limited access to potable water


Environment - international agreements:
party to:Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified:Law of the Sea


Geography - note:
landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes

People and Society

Nationality:
noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural)
adjective:Bhutanese


Ethnic groups:
Ngalop (also known as Bhote) 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35% (includes Lhotsampas - one of several Nepalese ethnic groups), indigenous or migrant tribes 15%


Languages:
Sharchhopka 28%, Dzongkha (official) 24%, Lhotshamkha 22%, other 26% (includes foreign languages) (2005 est.)


Religions:
Lamaistic Buddhist 75.3%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 22.1%, other 2.6% (2005 est.)


Population:
733,643country comparison to the world: 166
note:the Factbook population estimate is consistent with the first modern census of Bhutan, conducted in 2005; previous Factbook population estimates for Bhutan, which were on the order of three times the total population reported here, were based on Bhutanese Government publications that did not include the census (July 2014 est.)



Age structure:
0-14 years:27.3% (male 102,196/female 97,923)
15-24 years:20.1% (male 75,327/female 72,472)
25-54 years:40.8% (male 159,868/female 139,236)
55-64 years:5.8% (male 22,769/female 19,699)
65 years and over:6% (male 23,153/female 21,000) (2014 est.)


Dependency ratios:
total dependency ratio:48.1 %
youth dependency ratio:40.8 %
elderly dependency ratio:7.2 %
potential support ratio:13.8 (2014 est.)


Median age:
total:26.2 years
male:26.8 years
female:25.6 years (2014 est.)


Population growth rate:
1.13% (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 106


Birth rate:
18.12 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 106


Death rate:
6.78 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 140


Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 100


Urbanization:
urban population:35.6% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization:3.65% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)


Major urban areas - population:
THIMPHU (capital) 99,000 (2011)


Sex ratio:
at birth:1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years:1.04 male(s)/female
15-24 years:1.04 male(s)/female
25-54 years:1.15 male(s)/female
55-64 years:1.09 male(s)/female
65 years and over:1.11 male(s)/female
total population:1.1 male(s)/female (2014 est.)


Maternal mortality rate:
180 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)


Infant mortality rate:
total:37.89 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world: 61
male:38.34 deaths/1,000 live births
female:37.42 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)


    Life expectancy at birth:
total population:68.98 yearscountry comparison to the world: 157
male:68.06 years
female:69.95 years (2014 est.)


Total fertility rate:
2.02 children born/woman (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 121


Contraceptive prevalence rate:
65.6% (2010)


Health expenditures:
4.1% of GDP (2011)


Physicians density:
0.07 physicians/1,000 population (2008)


Hospital bed density:
1.8 beds/1,000 population (2011)


Drinking water source:
improved:
urban: 99.4% of population
rural: 97.3% of population
total: 98.1% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0.6% of population
rural: 2.7% of population
total: 1.9% of population (2012 est.)


Sanitation facility access:
improved:
urban: 74.5% of population
rural: 31.1% of population
total: 46.9% of population
unimproved:
urban: 25.5% of population
rural: 68.9% of population
total: 53.1% of population (2012 est.)


HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.2% (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 109


HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
1,100 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 143


HIV/AIDS - deaths:
100 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 127


Major infectious diseases:


Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
5.3% (2008)country comparison to the world: 154


Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
12.8% (2010)country comparison to the world: 59


Education expenditures:
4.7% of GDP (2011)country comparison to the world: 86

Literacy:
definition:age 15 and over can read and write
total population:52.8%
male:65%
female:38.7% (2005 est.)


School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total:13 years
male:13 years
female:13 years (2012)


Child labor - children ages 5-14:



Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total:7.2%country comparison to the world: 127
male:7.3%
female:7.2% (2012)

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan
conventional short form:Bhutan
local long form:Druk Gyalkhap
local short form:Druk Yul


Government type:
constitutional monarchy


Capital:
name:Thimphu
geographic coordinates:27 28 N, 89 38 E
time difference:UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)


Administrative divisions:
20 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Chirang, Daga, Gasa, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatsel, Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang, Tashi Yangtse, Thimphu, Tongsa, Wangdi Phodrang


Independence:
1907 (became a unified kingdom under its first hereditary king)


National holiday:
National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907)


Constitution:
previous (various royal decrees); first constitution drafted November 2001 - March 2005, ratified 18 July 2008 (2011)


Legal system:
civil law based on Buddhist religious law


International law organization participation:
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt


Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal


Executive branch:
chief of state:King Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK (since 14 December 2006); note - King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK abdicated the throne on 14 December 2006 and his son immediately succeeded him; the nearly two-year delay between the former King's abdication and his son's coronation on 6 November 2008 was to ensure an astrologically auspicious coronation date and to give the new king, who had limited experience, deeper administrative expertise under the guidance of his father
head of government:Prime Minister Tshering TOBGAY (since July 2013)
cabinet:Council of Ministers (Lhengye Zhungtshog) nominated by the monarch in consultation with the prime minister and approved by the National Assembly; members serve fixed, five-year terms; the leader of the majority party is nominated as the prime minister
elections:the monarchy is hereditary, but the 2008 constitution grants the Parliament authority to remove the monarch with two-thirds vote; election of a National Assembly last occurred in July 2013, resulting in the transfer of power to the former opposition party


Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament or Chi Tshog consists of the non-partisan National Council or Gyelyong Tshogde (25 seats; 20 members elected by each of the 20 administrative districts (dzongkhags) for four-year terms and 5 members appointed by the king); and the National Assembly or Tshogdu (47 seats; members nominated by the two parties and elected by direct, popular vote for five-year terms)
elections:National Council election last held on 23 April 2013 (next to be held in 2017); National Assembly election (first round) held on 31 May 2013; second round on 13 July 2013
election results:National Council - independents 20; note - all candidates required to run as independents; National Assembly - first round poll held on 31 May 2013 - percent of vote by party - DPT 44.52%; PDP 32.53%; DNT 17.04%; DCT 5.9%; second round poll held on 13 July 2013 - percent of vote by party - PDP 54.88%, DPT 45.12%; seats by party - PDP 32, DPT 15


    Judicial branch:
highest court(s):Supreme Court (consists of 5 justices including the chief justice )
note - the Supreme Court has sole jurisdiction in constitutional matters
judge selection and term of office:Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the monarch upon the advice of the National Judicial Commission, a 4-member body to include the Legislative Committee of the National Assembly, the attorney general, the Chief Justice of Bhutan and the senior Associate Justice of the Supreme Court; other judges (drangpons) appointed by the monarch from among the High Court judges selected by the National Judicial Commission; chief justice serves a 5-year term or until reaching age 65 years, whichever is earlier; the four other judges serve 10-year terms or until age 65, whichever is earlier
subordinate courts:High Court (first appellate court); District or Dzongkhag Courts; sub-district or Dungkhag Courts


Political parties and leaders:
Bhutan Peace and Prosperity Party (Druk Phuensum Tshogpa) or DPT [Jigme THINLEY]; Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party or BNK [Sonam TOBGAY]; People's Democratic Party or PDP [Tshering TOBGAY]; Druk Nymrub Tshogpa or DNT; Druck Chirwang Tshogpa or DCT

Political pressure groups and leaders:
United Front for Democracy (exiled); Druk National Congress (exiled)


International organization participation:
ADB, BIMSTEC, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, NAM, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)


Diplomatic representation in the US:
consulate(s) general:New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:
name:'Druk tsendhen' (The Thunder Dragon Kingdom)
lyrics/music:Gyaldun Dasho Thinley DORJI/Aku TONGMI
note:adopted 1953

Economy

Economy - overview:
Bhutan's economy, small and less developed, is based largely on agriculture and forestry, which provide the main livelihood for more than half of the population. Because rugged mountains dominate the terrain and make the building of roads and other infrastructure difficult and expensive, industrial production is primarily of the cottage industry type. The economy is closely aligned with India's through strong trade and monetary links and is dependent on India for financial assistance and migrant laborers for development projects, especially for road construction. Multilateral development organizations administer most educational, social, and environment programs, and take into account the government's desire to protect the country's environment and cultural traditions. For example, the government, in its cautious expansion of the tourist sector, encourages visits by upscale, environmentally conscientious tourists. Complicated controls and uncertain policies in areas such as industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance continue to hamper foreign investment. Bhutan’s largest export - hydropower to India - is creating employment and will probably sustain growth in the coming years. Only 5% of Bhutan’s 30,000 megawatt hydropower potential is currently tapped. The large amount of equipment needed to import materials to build hydropower plants has expanded Bhutan's trade and current account deficits. Bhutan’s GDP has rebounded strongly since the global recession began in 2008. Bhutan hopes to play a larger role in regional economic integration as a member of the South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation.


GDP (purchasing power parity):
$5.235 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
$4.947 billion (2012 est.)
$4.529 billion (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


GDP (official exchange rate):
$2.133 billion (2013 est.)


GDP - real growth rate:
5.8% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
9.2% (2012 est.)
8.5% (2011 est.)


GDP - per capita (PPP):
$7,000 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
$6,700 (2012 est.)
$6,100 (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


Gross national saving:
29.6% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
29.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
29.2% of GDP (2011 est.)


GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption:37.9%
government consumption:21.3%
investment in fixed capital:64%
investment in inventories:-0.1%
exports of goods and services:28.6%
imports of goods and services:-51.7%
(2013 est.)


GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture:13.8%
industry:41.2%
services:45% (2013 est.)


Agriculture - products:
rice, corn, root crops, citrus; dairy products, eggs


Industries:
cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide, tourism


Industrial production growth rate:
7% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35

Labor force:
336,400
country comparison to the world: 162
note:major shortage of skilled labor (2012)



Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture:62%
industry:19%
services:19% (2012 est.)


Unemployment rate:
2.1% (2013)
country comparison to the world: 17
4% (2009)


    Population below poverty line:
12% (2012)


Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%:2.3%
highest 10%:37.6% (2003)


Distribution of family income - Gini index:
38.7
country comparison to the world: 70
38.1


Budget:
revenues:$588.2 million
expenditures:$639.5 million
note:the government of India finances nearly one-quarter of Bhutan's budget expenditures (2013 est.)


Taxes and other revenues:
27.6% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-2.4% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100


Public debt:
38.9% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
44.1% of GDP (2012 est.)


Fiscal year:
1 July - 30 June


Inflation rate (consumer prices):
11% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 210
10.9% (2012 est.)


Central bank discount rate:
NA%


Commercial bank prime lending rate:
14% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
14% (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of narrow money:
$224.9 million (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
$191.9 million (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of broad money:
$1.099 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
$1.062 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of domestic credit:
$915 million (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
$874.4 million (31 December 2012 est.)


Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA


Current account balance:
$401.5 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
-$311.6 million (2012 est.)


Exports:
$721.8 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
$662.2 million (2011 est.)


Exports - commodities:
electricity (to India), ferrosilicon, cement, calcium carbide, copper wire, manganese, vegetable oil


Exports - partners:
India 83.8%, Hong Kong 10.8% (2013 est.)


Imports:
$1.28 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
$1.185 billion (2011 est.)


Imports - commodities:
fuel and lubricants, passenger cars, machinery and parts, fabrics, rice


Imports - partners:
India 72.3%, South Korea 6% (2013 est.)


Debt - external:
$1.275 billion (2011)
country comparison to the world: 155
$836 million (2009)


Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$63.5 million
country comparison to the world: 108

Exchange rates:
ngultrum (BTN) per US dollar -
56.61 (2013 est.)
53.44 (2012 est.)
45.73 (2010 est.)
46.68 (2009 est.)
43.51 (2008 est.)

Energy

Electricity - production:
7.23 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108


Electricity - consumption:
1.68 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144


Electricity - exports:
5.4 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27


Electricity - imports:
20 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105


Electricity - installed generating capacity:
1.505 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116


Electricity - from fossil fuels:
1.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205


Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56


Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
98.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6


Electricity - from other renewable sources:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161


Crude oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157


Crude oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91


Crude oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165


    Crude oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111


Refined petroleum products - production:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126


Refined petroleum products - consumption:
1,719 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193


Refined petroleum products - exports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158


Refined petroleum products - imports:
1,998 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181


Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108


Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125


Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71


Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166


Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118


Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
335,700 Mt (2011 est.)

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use:
27,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 179


Telephones - mobile cellular:
560,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 165


Telephone system:
general assessment:urban towns and district headquarters have telecommunications services
domestic:low teledensity; domestic service is poor especially in rural areas; mobile-cellular service, started in 2003, is now widely available
international:country code - 975; international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (2012)



    Broadcast media:
state-owned TV station established in 1999; cable TV service offers dozens of Indian and other international channels; first radio station, privately launched in 1973, is now state-owned; 5 private radio stations are currently broadcasting (2012)


Internet country code:
.bt


Internet hosts:
14,590 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 126


Internet users:
50,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 174

Transportation

Airports
2 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 198


Airports - with paved runways
total:2
1,524 to 2,437 m:1
914 to 1,523 m:1 (2013)


Airports - with unpaved runways
total:1
914 to 1,523 m:1 (2012)


    Roadways
total:8,050 kmcountry comparison to the world: 140
paved:4,991 km (includes 622 km of expressways)
unpaved:3,059 km (2003)

Military

Military branches
Royal Bhutan Army (includes Royal Bodyguard and Royal Bhutan Police) (2009)


Military service age and obligation
18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; militia training is compulsory for males aged 20-25, over a 3-year period (2012)


Manpower available for military service
males age 16-49:202,407
females age 16-49:180,349 (2010 est.)


    Manpower fit for military service
males age 16-49:157,664
females age 16-49:144,861 (2010 est.)


Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
male:7,363
female:7,095 (2010 est.)
Information/ Data by CIA - The World Factbook