Tajikistan Facts

by countryaah · Published June 3, 2019 · Updated April 26, 2020

Tajikistan, Central Asia state; 143 100 km², 9.1 million residents (2019).Tajikistan borders north to Kyrgyzstan, east to China, south to Afghanistan and west to Uzbekistan. The capital is Dushanbe (788 700 residents, 2015).

Country facts

Republic of Tajikistan / Republic of Tajikistan
Country abbreviation: TJ
Area: 143 100 km²
Population (2019): 9.1 million residents
Capital: Dushanbe
Main language: Tajik
State: Republic
Head of State: Emomali Rachmon (President)
Head of Government: Qohir Rasulzoda
Per capita GDP (2018): US $ 827
GNI per capita (2018): USD 1,010
Currency unit: 1 somoni = 100 dirams
Currency code: TJS
Country number (telephony): 992
Internet domain name: tj
Time difference compared to Sweden: +4
National Day: September 9 (Independence Day, 1991)

Nature

Land use: forest (4%), agricultural land (7%), other (89%)
Highest mountain: Ismoili Somoni (7 495 m asl)

Population

Population density (2019): 64 residents per km²
Natural population growth (2019): 2.1%; birthrate 25 ‰, death count 4 ‰
Age structure (2019): 0-14 years (34%), 15-64 (63%), 65- (3%)
Average life expectancy (2019): men 73 years, women 77 years
Infant mortality (2019): 27 per 1,000 live births
Population forecast 2050: 16 million residents
HDI (2017): 0.650 (place 127 of 189)
Urbanization rate (2019): 26%
Most populous cities (2015): Dusjanbe (788,700 residents), Chudzhand (172,700), Kuljab (101,200)

Business

Industry’s contribution to GDP (2017): agriculture (29%), industry (26%), service (45%)
Exports (2017): US $ 873 million
Main export products: aluminum, electricity, food
Main exporting countries: Turkey, China, Russian Federation
Imports (2017): US $ 2 390 million
Main import products: oil products, aluminum, machinery and transport equipment
Main importing countries: Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, China
Railway network (2014): 700 km

Tajikistan is high and mountainous; more than half of the surface is over 3,000 meters above sea level. Northern and central Tajikistan are dominated by outcrops from the Tian Shan mountain range. In the southeast, Pamir’s mountain system is spreading. A dense river network exists; the largest rivers are Syr-Darja in the north and Amu-Darja along the border with Afghanistan. The country has a pronounced continental climate. In the valleys it is subtropical with hot and dry summer.

According to the constitution, the country is a presidential republic. The president, who is elected for seven years, appoints the government. Parliament consists of two chambers with a term of five years. Tajikistan became independent in 1991, when the Soviet Union disbanded.

The economic reforms initiated since independence mainly include the right to use agricultural land, new corporate forms and reduced state ownership in the business sector. However, after an ambitious start to independence, the number of companies that have been privatized has remained small and is found mainly among small and medium-sized companies. The country’s exports are dominated by cotton and aluminum, making Tajikistan vulnerable to price fluctuations. Poverty and civil war have caused the country to be heavily indebted and dependence on aid is great.