World · permanent entity record · TX

Turkmenistan

Thirty-second orientation

Turkmenistan at a glance

Capital: Ashgabat (Ashkhabad); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Population: 7,618,847; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025
Area: 488,100 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Nationality / demonym: noun: Turkmenistani(s); adjective: Turkmenistani; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Government: presidential republic; authoritarian; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Languages: Turkmen (official) 72%, Russian 12%, Uzbek 9%, other 7%; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04

Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history

Turkmenistan through time

1992-03-02
Admitted to the United Nations
Turkmenistan became a member of the United Nations.
United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04

Source history · changed fields only

Changes since the final CIA profile

Field	Maintained Almanac value	Final CIA profile
Population	7,618,847World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025	total: 5,744,151 (2024 est.) male: 2,842,870 female: 2,901,281CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-05

A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.

World Development Indicators · latest available observation

People, economy, and access

Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.

Gross domestic product: $49.8 billion; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Gross domestic product per person: $6,540; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Life expectancy at birth: 70.2 years; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Urban population: 47.1%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Access to electricity: 100.0%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
People using the internet: 18.0%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2016 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2016; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Source footnote: Source and notes: ITU estimate., Retrieved 2026-09-08.

World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.

Maintained profile

Capital: Ashgabat (Ashkhabad); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
Area: 488,100 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
Population: 7,618,847; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Currency: Turkmenistani manat (TMM); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
Languages: Turkmen (official) 72%, Russian 12%, Uzbek 9%, other 7%; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
Nationality / demonym: noun: Turkmenistani(s); adjective: Turkmenistani; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
Government: presidential republic; authoritarian; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
UN membership: 1992-03-02; United Nations, Member States · as of 2026-09-04
Continent: Asia; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-05Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “Central Asia.”
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) note: Turkmenistan borders the Caspian Sea (1,768 km); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-05Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Climate: subtropical desert; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-05Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Religions: Muslim 93%, Christian 6.4%, Buddhist <1%, folk religion <1%, Jewish <1%, other <1%, unspecified <1% (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-05Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Flag colors: green, red, white; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-05Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
National symbol: Akhal-Teke horse; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-05Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Highest point: Gora Ayribaba · 10,299 ft (3,139 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-05Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Lowest point: Vpadina Akchanaya (Sarygamysh Koli is a lake in northern Turkmenistan with a water level that fluctuates above and below the elevation of Vpadina Akchanaya, the lake has dropped as low as · -361 ft (-110 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-05Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
NATO membership: Not a member; NATO, What is NATO? · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
BRICS membership: Not a member; BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.

Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data

Final CIA World Factbook profile

This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.

CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated 2026-01-05 · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b

Introduction1 fields

Background: Present-day Turkmenistan has been at the crossroads of civilizations for centuries. Various Persian empires ruled the area in antiquity, and Alexander the Great, Muslim armies, the Mongols, Turkic warriors, and eventually the Russians conquered it. In medieval times, Merv (located in present-day Mary province) was one of the great cities of the Islamic world and an important stop on the Silk Road. Annexed by Russia in the late 1800s, Turkmen territories later figured prominently in the anti-Bolshevik resistance in Central Asia. In 1924, Turkmenistan became a Soviet republic; it achieved independence when the USSR dissolved in 1991. President for Life Saparmurat NIYAZOV died in 2006, and Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOV, a deputy chairman under NIYAZOW, emerged as the country's new president. BERDIMUHAMEDOV won Turkmenistan's first multi-candidate presidential election in 2007, and again in 2012 and 2017 with over 97% of the vote in elections widely regarded as undemocratic. In 2022, BERDIMUHAMEDOV announced that he would step down from the presidency and called for an election to replace him. His son, Serdar BERDIMUHAMEDOV, won the ensuing election with 73% of the vote. Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOV, although no longer head of state, maintains an influential political position as head of the Halk Maslahaty (People’s Council) and as National Leader of the Turkmen People, a title that provides additional privileges and immunity for him and his family. Since Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOV stepped down from the presidency, state-controlled media upgraded his honorific from Arkadag (protector) to Hero-Arkadag, and began referring to Serdar BERDIMUHAMEDOV as Arkadagly Serdar, which can be translated as "Serdar who has a protector to support him." Turkmenistan has sought new export markets for its extensive hydrocarbon/natural gas reserves, which have yet to be fully exploited. Turkmenistan's reliance on gas exports has made the economy vulnerable to fluctuations in the global energy market, and economic hardships since the drop in energy prices in 2014 have led many citizens of Turkmenistan to emigrate, mostly to Turkey.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Geography20 fields

Location: Central Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Kazakhstan; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Geographic coordinates: 40 00 N, 60 00 E; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Map references: Asia; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Area: total : 488,100 sq km land: 469,930 sq km water: 18,170 sq km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Area - comparative: slightly more than three times the size of Georgia; slightly larger than California; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Land boundaries: total: 4,158 km border countries (4): Afghanistan 804 km; Iran 1,148 km; Kazakhstan 413 km; Uzbekistan 1,793 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) note: Turkmenistan borders the Caspian Sea (1,768 km); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Maritime claims: none (landlocked); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Climate: subtropical desert; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Terrain: flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes rising to mountains in the south; low mountains along border with Iran; borders Caspian Sea in west; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Elevation: highest point: Gora Ayribaba 3,139 m lowest point: Vpadina Akchanaya (Sarygamysh Koli is a lake in northern Turkmenistan with a water level that fluctuates above and below the elevation of Vpadina Akchanaya, the lake has dropped as low as -110 m) -81 m mean elevation: 230 m; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, sulfur, salt; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 84.2% (2023 est.) arable land: 3.4% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 80.8% (2023 est.) forest: 5% (2023 est.) other: 10.7% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Irrigated land: 16,459 sq km (2012); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Major lakes (area sq km): salt water lake(s): Caspian Sea (shared with Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia, and Kazakhstan) - 374,000 sq km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Major rivers (by length in km): Amu Darya (shared with Tajikistan [s], Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan [m]) - 2,620 km note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Major watersheds (area sq km): Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: (Aral Sea basin) Amu Darya (534,739 sq km); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Population distribution: the most densely populated areas are the southern, eastern, and northeastern oases; approximately 50% of the population lives in and around the capital of Ashgabat; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Natural hazards: earthquakes; mudslides; droughts; dust storms; floods; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Geography - note: landlocked; the western and central low-lying desolate portions of the country make up the great Garagum (Kara-Kum) desert, which occupies over 80% of the country; eastern part is plateau; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

People and Society36 fields

Population: total: 5,744,151 (2024 est.) male: 2,842,870 female: 2,901,281; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Nationality: noun: Turkmenistani(s) adjective: Turkmenistani; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Ethnic groups: Turkmen 85%, Uzbek 5%, Russian 4%, other 6% (2003 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Languages: Turkmen (official) 72%, Russian 12%, Uzbek 9%, other 7% major-language sample(s): Dünýä Faktlar Kitaby – esasy maglumatlaryň wajyp çeşmesidir (Turkmen) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Religions: Muslim 93%, Christian 6.4%, Buddhist <1%, folk religion <1%, Jewish <1%, other <1%, unspecified <1% (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Age structure: 0-14 years: 24.5% (male 711,784/female 692,967) 15-64 years: 68.6% (male 1,956,740/female 1,984,333) 65 years and over: 6.9% (2024 est.) (male 174,346/female 223,981); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 45.8 (2024 est.) youth dependency ratio: 35.6 (2024 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 10.1 (2024 est.) potential support ratio: 9.9 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Median age: total: 31.6 years (2025 est.) male: 30.7 years female: 31.7 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Population growth rate: 0.88% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Birth rate: 16.43 births/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Death rate: 5.99 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Net migration rate: -1.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Population distribution: the most densely populated areas are the southern, eastern, and northeastern oases; approximately 50% of the population lives in and around the capital of Ashgabat; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 54% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 2.23% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Major urban areas - population: 902,000 ASHGABAT (capital) (2023); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Mother's mean age at first birth: 24.2 years (2019); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Maternal mortality ratio: 5 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Infant mortality rate: total: 35 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 43.6 deaths/1,000 live births female: 27.7 deaths/1,000 live births; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.4 years (2024 est.) male: 69.4 years female: 75.5 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Total fertility rate: 2.02 children born/woman (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Gross reproduction rate: 0.99 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Drinking water source: urban: 100% of population (2022 est.) rural: 100% of population (2022 est.) total: 100% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0% of population (2022 est.) rural: 0% of population (2022 est.) total: 0% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Health expenditure: 5.6% of GDP (2021) 8.5% of national budget (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Physician density: 1.93 physicians/1,000 population (2023); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Hospital bed density: 4 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Sanitation facility access: urban: 99.8% of population (2022 est.) rural: 100% of population (2022 est.) total: 99.9% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0.2% of population (2022 est.) rural: 0% of population (2022 est.) total: 0.1% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 18.6% (2016); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Alcohol consumption per capita: total: 2.88 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 0.65 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 1.25 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.98 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Tobacco use: total: 4.8% (2025 est.) male: 9.4% (2025 est.) female: 0.5% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 3.1% (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Currently married women (ages 15-49): 65% (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Child marriage: women married by age 15: 0.2% (2019) women married by age 18: 6.1% (2019); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Education expenditure: 2.7% of GDP (2023 est.) 29.6% national budget (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Literacy: total population: 99.9% (2022 est.) male: 99.9% (2022 est.) female: 99.9% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years (2023 est.) male: 12 years (2022 est.) female: 12 years (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Environment11 fields

Environmental issues: soil and groundwater pollution from agricultural chemicals and pesticides; salination, waterlogging of soil due to poor irrigation methods; Caspian Sea pollution; river diversion for irrigation; soil erosion; desertification; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
International environmental agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Climate: subtropical desert; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 84.2% (2023 est.) arable land: 3.4% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 80.8% (2023 est.) forest: 5% (2023 est.) other: 10.7% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 54% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 2.23% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Carbon dioxide emissions: 106.215 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 100 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 18.062 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 88.153 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Particulate matter emissions: 28.1 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Methane emissions: energy: 5,451.4 kt (2022-2024 est.) agriculture: 294.9 kt (2019-2021 est.) waste: 44.1 kt (2019-2021 est.) other: 1.1 kt (2019-2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 500,000 tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 15.3% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 453.5 million cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 806.765 million cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 16.12 billion cubic meters (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Total renewable water resources: 24.765 billion cubic meters (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Government23 fields

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Turkmenistan local long form: none local short form: Turkmenistan former: Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic etymology: the suffix -stan means "land," so the country name means the "Land of the Turkmen [people];" the people's name means "Turk-like," from the Persian words tork and mandan, referring to their formerly nomadic lifestyle that differed from the settled Turks of Turkey; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Government type: presidential republic; authoritarian; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Capital: name: Ashgabat (Ashkhabad) geographic coordinates: 37 57 N, 58 23 E time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: derived from the Turkmen words ushq, meaning "love," and abad, meaning "inhabited place" or "town;" the city was originally a military outpost built in 1881 that took its name from an ancient settlement on the site; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Administrative divisions: 5 provinces (velayatlar, singular - velayat) and 1 independent city*: Ahal Velayat (Arkadag), Ashgabat*, Balkan Velayat (Balkanabat), Dashoguz Velayat, Lebap Velayat (Turkmenabat), Mary Velayat note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers; exceptions show the administrative center name in parentheses; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Legal system: civil law system with Islamic (sharia) law influences; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Constitution: history: several previous; latest adopted 14 September 2016 amendment process: proposed by the Assembly or Mejlis; passage requires two-thirds majority vote or absolute majority approval in a referendum; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Turkmenistan dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Executive branch: chief of state: President Serdar BERDIMUHAMEDOV (since 19 March 2022) head of government: President Serdar BERDIMUHAMEDOV (since 19 March 2022) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president election/appointment process: president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 7-year term (no term limits) most recent election date: 12 March 2022 election results: 2022: Serdar BERDIMUHAMEDOV elected president; percent of vote - Serdar BERDIMUHAMEDOV (DPT) 73%, Khydyr NUNNAYEV (independent) 11.1%, Agadzhan BEKMYRADOV (IAP) 7.2%, other 8.7% 2017: Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOV reelected president in the first round; percent of vote - Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOV (DPT) 97.7%, other 2.3% expected date of next election: 2029 note: the president is both chief of state and head of government; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Legislative branch: legislature name: Assembly (Mejlis) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 56 (48 indirectly elected; 8 appointed) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 3/28/2021 parties elected and seats per party: Democratic Party of Turkmenistan (DPT) (65); Groups of citizens of Turkmenistan (28); Agrarian Party (24); Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (8) percentage of women in chamber: 25.5% expected date of next election: March 2028; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Judicial branch: highest court(s): Supreme Court of Turkmenistan (consists of the court president and 21 associate judges and organized into civil, criminal, and military chambers) judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the president for 5-year terms subordinate courts: High Commercial Court; appellate courts; provincial, district, and city courts; military courts; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Political parties: Agrarian Party of Turkmenistan or TAP Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan or TSTP The Democratic Party of Turkmenistan or TDP note: all parties support President BERDIMUHAMEDOV; unofficial, small opposition movements exist abroad; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Meret ORAZOV (since 14 February 2001) chancery: 2207 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 588-1500 FAX: [1] (202) 588-1500 email address and website: turkmenembassyus@verizon.net https://usa.tmembassy.gov.tm/en; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Elizabeth ROOD (since 31 July 2024) embassy: 9 1984 Street (formerly Pushkin Street), Ashgabat 744000 mailing address: 7070 Ashgabat Place, Washington, DC 20521-7070 telephone: [993] (12) 94-00-45 FAX: [993] (12) 94-26-14 email address and website: ConsularAshgab@state.gov https://tm.usembassy.gov/; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
International organization participation: ADB, CIS (associate member, has not ratified the 1993 CIS charter although it participates in meetings and held the chairmanship of the CIS in 2012), EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Independence: 27 October 1991 (from the Soviet Union); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
National holiday: Independence Day, 27 October (1991); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Flag: description: green field with a vertical red stripe near the left side; the stripe has five tribal guls (designs used in producing carpets) stacked above two crossed olive branches; five five-pointed white stars and a white crescent moon appear in the upper left corner of the main field meaning: the green color and crescent moon stand for Islam, the five stars for the country's regions, and the guls for national identity; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
National symbol(s): Akhal-Teke horse; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
National color(s): green, white; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
National anthem(s): title: "Garaşsyz, Bitarap Türkmenistanyň" (Independent, Neutral, Turkmenistan State Anthem) lyrics/music: collective/Veli MUKHATOV history: adopted 1997; lyrics revised in 2008 to eliminate references to deceased President Saparmurat NYYAZOW; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 5 (4 cultural, 1 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Ancient Merv (c); Kunya-Urgench (c); Parthian Fortresses of Nisa (c); Cold Winter Deserts of Turan (n); Silk Roads: Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor (c); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Economy24 fields

Economic overview: upper-middle-income Central Asian economy; houses fourth-largest natural gas reserves and rich in natural resources; authoritarian and dominated by state-owned enterprises; challenges include overvalued currency, high inflation risks, lack of economic diversification due to heavy state control and bureaucracy; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $134.555 billion (2024 est.) $131.576 billion (2023 est.) $123.778 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2017 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Real GDP growth rate: 2.3% (2024 est.) 6.3% (2023 est.) 6.2% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Real GDP per capita: $18,000 (2024 est.) $17,900 (2023 est.) $17,100 (2022 est.) note: data in 2017 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
GDP (official exchange rate): $64.24 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11.5% (2022 est.) 19.5% (2021 est.) 6.1% (2020 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 11.3% (2023 est.) industry: 39.3% (2023 est.) services: 49.4% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Agricultural products: milk, wheat, potatoes, cotton, watermelons, tomatoes, grapes, barley, beef, lamb/mutton (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Industries: natural gas, oil, petroleum products, textiles, food processing; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Labor force: 2.445 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Unemployment rate: 4.4% (2024 est.) 4.1% (2023 est.) 4.2% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): total: 9.6% (2024 est.) male: 14.7% (2024 est.) female: 6% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Average household expenditures: on food: 36.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 2.2% of household expenditures (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Remittances: 0% of GDP (2023 est.) 0% of GDP (2022 est.) 0% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Budget: revenues: $5.954 billion (2019 est.) expenditures: $6.134 billion (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Public debt: 24.1% of GDP (2016 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Exports: $13.111 billion (2023 est.) $14.67 billion (2022 est.) $10.282 billion (2021 est.) note: GDP expenditure basis - exports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Exports - partners: China 63%, Turkey 11%, Greece 7%, Uzbekistan 6%, Azerbaijan 4% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Exports - commodities: natural gas, refined petroleum, fertilizers, crude petroleum, electricity (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Imports: $7.563 billion (2023 est.) $7.362 billion (2022 est.) $6.25 billion (2021 est.) note: GDP expenditure basis - imports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Imports - partners: Turkey 21%, UAE 21%, China 20%, Kazakhstan 8%, Germany 5% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Imports - commodities: broadcasting equipment, cars, wheat, computers, iron pipes (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Debt - external: $3.696 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Exchange rates: Turkmenistani manat (TMM) per US dollar - 4.125 (2017 est.) 3.5 (2016 est.) 3.5 (2015 est.) 3.5 (2014 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Energy7 fields

Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 6.512 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 21.526 billion kWh (2023 est.) exports: 9 billion kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 3.258 billion kWh (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 100% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Coal: imports: 200 metric tons (2023 est.) proven reserves: 799.999 million metric tons (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 272,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 152,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 600 million barrels (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Natural gas: production: 84.277 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) consumption: 44.936 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) exports: 41.334 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) proven reserves: 11.327 trillion cubic meters (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Energy consumption per capita: 261.142 million Btu/person (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Communications6 fields

Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 802,000 (2021 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 10 (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 6.25 million (2021 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 99 (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Broadcast media: state-controlled broadcast media; 7 state-owned TV and 4 state-owned radio networks; satellite dishes available for other broadcasts; officials sometimes limit access to satellite TV by removing satellite dishes; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Internet country code: .tm; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Internet users: percent of population: 21% (2017 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 377,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Transportation5 fields

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: EZ; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Airports: 23 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Heliports: 25 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Railways: total: 5,113 km (2017) broad gauge: 5,113 km (2017) 1.520-m gauge; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Merchant marine: total: 73 (2023) by type: general cargo 6, oil tanker 8, other 59; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Military and Security6 fields

Military and security forces: Armed Forces of Turkmenistan (aka Turkmen National Army): Ground Forces, Air Force, Navy Ministry of Internal Affairs: Internal Troops, Turkmen (National) Police, Federal/State Border Guard Service (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Military expenditures: 1.9% of GDP (2019 est.) 1.8% of GDP (2018 est.) 1.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 1.8% of GDP (2016 est.) 1.5% of GDP (2015 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Military and security service personnel strengths: estimated 35,000 active Armed Forces (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the military's inventory is comprised largely of Russian/Soviet-era armaments with smaller quantities from suppliers such as Brazil, China, Italy, and Türkiye (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Military service age and obligation: 18-27 years of age for compulsory military service for men and volunteer service for men and women; 24-month conscript service obligation (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Military - note: the military is responsible for external defense and works closely with the Border Service on protecting the country’s borders; areas of emphasis for the military include border security, competition on the Caspian Sea, regional stability, and military modernization; while Turkmenistan has a policy of permanent and "positive" neutrality and has declined to participate in post-Soviet military groupings such as the Collective Security Treaty Organization and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, it has participated in multinational exercises and bilateral training with neighboring countries, including Russia and Uzbekistan; Turkmenistan joined NATO's Partnership for Peace program in 1994, but it does not offer any military forces to NATO-led operations (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Space3 fields

Space agency/agencies: Turkmenistan National Space Agency (established 2011; transferred to the Space Department of the Ministry of Communications in 2019) (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Space program overview: has a small space program focused on acquiring satellites and developing the infrastructure to build and operate satellites; particularly interested in communications and remote sensing satellites; has cooperated with the space agencies and/or space industries of France, Italy, Russia, South Korea, and the US (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Key space-program milestones: 2015 - first commercial telecommunications satellite (Turkmen Sat 52E) built by European company and launched by US 2024 - announced beginning of program to develop or acquire a second communications satellite; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Transnational Issues2 fields

Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees: 3,409 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Trafficking in persons: tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Turkmenistan does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so, therefore Turkmenistan was upgraded to Tier 2 Watch List; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/turkmenistan/; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

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Turkmenistan at a glance

Turkmenistan through time

Admitted to the United Nations

Changes since the final CIA profile

People, economy, and access

Maintained profile