Updated November 1, 2017
Kyrgyz Republic
region (1924), then as the Kyrgyz Autonomous Republic
(1926), and finally as the Kyrgyz Republic (1936). During
the Soviet era, the Kyrgyz Republic produced agricultural
goods and mineral and military products.
Human Rights: According to the Department of State, the
most significant human rights problems in Kyrgyzstan
include a lack of due process, harassment of local activists,
journalists, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs),
and police-driven violence and discrimination against
sexual and ethnic minority groups. In 2010, jailed Uzbek
activist Azimjon Askarov was sentenced to life in prison; in
2015, he was given a Human Rights Defender Award by
Source: Graphic created by Hannah Fischer at CRS.
the Department of State—a decision that created substantial
friction in the U.S.-Kyrgyzstan relationship. The central
Political Background
government appears not to prosecute human rights violators
Government: The Kyrgyz Republic (or “Kyrgyzstan”)
consistently, contributing to the persistence of abuses by
gained its independence in 1991 after the fall of the Soviet
security forces and law enforcement. From 2013 to 2016,
Union. That same year, the United States established
some Kyrgyz lawmakers pushed for the adoption of a
diplomatic relations with the country. Askar Akayev was
Russian-style “foreign agents law” that would classify
elected the first president of Kyrgystan, and he remained in
many NGOs as foreign agents. Both foreign and domestic
power until 2005. Revolutions in 2005 and 2010 led to the
critics noted that such a policy would inhibit the growth of
overthrow of two presidents, including Akayev, and the
Kyrgyzstan’s civil society. The national parliament voted
adoption of a newly drafted constitution in 2010. The 2010
on the law in May 2016 and rejected it 65-46, a move
constitution established a hybrid parliamentary system that
praised by international rights organizations such as Human
balances power between the president, prime minister, and
Rights Watch.
legislature. Changes to the constitution in December 2016
transferred power from the president to the legislature and
Kyrgyz Republic at a Glance
prime minister. Kyrgyzstan is seen by many as hobbled by
corruption, regional disputes, and poor economic output.
Land area and geography: Mountainous, with land area
199,951 km2 (slightly smaller than South Dakota)
Recent Elections: Kyrgyzstan held presidential elections
Population: 6.08 mil ion
on October 15, 2017. The race, which featured more than
Ethnicity: 73% Kyrgyz, 15% Uzbek, 6% Russian, 6% other
50 candidates, resulted in a first round victory for the
Religion: 75% Sunni Muslim, 20% Russian Orthodox, 5% other
incumbent party candidate Sooronbai Jeenbekov.
GDP (2016): $6.55 bil ion, per capita GNI is $3,410 at PPP
Jeenbekov, who recently served as prime minister, was
Major resources: Gold, rare earth metals, hydropower
favored to win the race. However, many expected stronger
Political structure: Hybrid parliamentary system with
challenges to Jeenbekov’s candidacy, particularly from
president (elected to 6 year term, next election in 2023), prime
Respublika party leader Omurebek Babanov. President-
minister, and unicameral legislature (elected to 5-year terms,
elect Jeenbekov is to assume office on December 4, 2017.
next legislative elections in 2020)
He is expected to closely follow his predecessor’s agenda,
Political Leaders: President Sooronbai Jeenbekov. Prime
which featured strong political and economic ties to
Minister Sapar Isakov
Russia. Although experts point to irregularities in the lead
Data from U.N., World Bank (2016)
up to the election that may have unfairly aided
Jeenbekov’s candidacy
, the election process is being hailed
Drug Trafficking: According to reports, about a quarter of
by some as a milestone in Kyrgyzstani politics. Analysts
the world’s heroin passes through Central Asia—including
view the result as a sign of political maturity, particularly
Osh, a Kyrgyz city—on its way to Russia and Europe. Yet,
given the country’s recent history and the region’s tradition
corruption and limited institutional capacity have hampered
of autocratic rule.
Kyrgyz efforts to tackle the drug trade. The United States
History: Most of Kyrgyzstan was annexed by Russia in
has provided counternarcotic assistance and equipment to
1876. The Kyrgyz people staged a revolt against the Tsarist
the country’s law enforcement forces. The United States
Empire in 1916 in which almost one-sixth of the native
also helped to develop the Kyrgyz State Service for Drug
population was killed. After the Bolshevik Revolution of
Control, an independent drug enforcement body.
1917, the territory of what is now Kyrgyzstan became part
Terrorism: Violent extremism is a major concern in
of the Soviet Union, first as the Kara-Kyrghyz Autonomous
Kyrgyzstan. The country has, in large part, not worked with
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Kyrgyz Republic
the United States on counterterrorism issues, although in
Economic upturn: In July 2017, Kyrgyzstan’s year-to-year
2016 Kyrgyz law enforcement bodies participated in the
real GDP growth was 6.9%, according to the World Bank.
State Department’s Antiterrorism Assistance program.
The uptick resulted largely from the country’s gold
Kyrgyzstan also has taken part in counterterrorism trainings
production, which expanded by 43%. In 2018, the World
organized by the Organization for Security and Co-
Bank expects the country’s economy to grow by 4.2%.
operation in Europe and NATO. An estimated 600 Kyrgyz
Kyrgyzstan’s economic potential is tied to its
citizens have left the country to join international terrorist
hydroelectricity and tourism sectors. However, the
groups, such as the Islamic State. But according to some
country’s economy faces several challenges, including
observers, the real number may be higher. The Kyrgyz
corruption and weak governance.
government recently enacted a law, allowing it to revoke a
person’s citizenship if he or she is convicted of receiving
Figure 1. Personal Remittances from Russia to
terrorist training or fighting abroad. The main drivers of
Kyrgyzstan
radicalization, according to the government, are lack of
economic opportunities and the country’s minority ethnic
groups, especially Uzbeks, feeling marginalized.
Economy
Trade: Kyrgyzstan is one of the poorest countries of
Central Asia. Soviet-era infrastructure and state-owned
enterprises distort the economy. It possesses minor oil and
gas reserves but relies on imports to meet its energy needs.
Gold is Kyrgyzstan’s main export commodity, making up
more than 60% of all exports for 2015. Yet, the gold mining
industry is a politically sensitive topic due to profit-sharing
disputes between the national government and the
Canadian-operated Kumtor Mine which led to the
resignation of the country’s prime minister in April 2015. In
Source: Central Bank of Russia.
2016, the government banned the use of foreign currency in
all domestic transactions—possibly to make the country
Kyrgyzstan Relations
less reliant on foreign currencies and to make goods and
Foreign policy: Kyrgyzstan, like other Central Asian
services more affortable. The new regulation is expected to
countries, has traditionally rejected foreign powers’efforts
mainly affect sectors where most dealings were in U.S.
to cultivate strong bilateral relations. According to some
dollars or euros, such as the Kygryz property market.
analysts, nationalism plays a central role in shaping the
country’s foreign policy, and Kyrgyzstan has historically
Multilateral Organizations: Kyrgyzstan is a member of
preferred to balance Russian, Chinese, and Western
the World Trade Organization (WTO), as well as the
influences, while maintaining a semblance of independence.
Shanghai Cooperation Organization. In August 2014,
Under the Atambayev administration, however,
Kyrgyzstan joined the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)
Kyrgyzstan’s foreign policy tipped in Russia’s direction. It
with Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Armenia and
joined the Russian-led EAEU, and Russia canceled $240
formally became a full member in August 2015. Due in part
million in Kyrgyz sovereign debt in May 2017. Following
to its perceived negative impacts on the reexport sector, the
the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Kyrgyzstan
EAEU has proven politically controversial in Kyrgyzstan.
agreed to the creation of the U.S. Transit Center (formerly
A WTO member since the 1990s, Kyrgyzstan has fostered a
Manas Air Base) at Manas International Airport in Bishkek
reputation as a relatively liberal trade environment. For this
to support U.S. operations in Afghanistan. In 2014, U.S.
reason, the country has become a regional exchange hub,
troops turned over the Center to the Kyrgyz.
with many traders earning a living importing and
reexporting goods from China. Kyrgyzstan’s status as a
U.S. Foreign Assistance: U.S. foreign assistance focuses
trade hub may be threatened, however, due to the uniform
on strengthening Kyrgyzstan’s democratic process,
standards adopted under the Russian-led EAEU.
encouraging economic growth, improving governance, and
Kyrgyzstan is also seen as a site for potential projects under
enhancing the security services. The FY2018 U.S. foreign
China’s “Belt and Road Initiative,” which promotes
operations assistance request for Kyrgyzstan is $19.47
economic connectivity across three continents.
million, down from $46.38 million in FY2016 (actual).
Economic Support and Development Funds account for
Economic dependence on Russia: According to official
most (77%) of the FY2018 request ($15 million).
government statistics, imports come mainly from Russia
(55%), which sold approximately $683 million in petroleum
Jennifer M. Roscoe, Research Assistant
to Kyrgyzstan in 2015. By contrast, U.S. total exports to
Wil Mackey, Research Assistant
Kyrgyzstan were about $10.2 million in 2015. Kyrgyzstan
Edward Y. Gracia, Research Assistant
also relies heavily on personal remittance payments from
Kyrgyz migrant workers in Russia. Although real wages
IF10304
have fallen due to Russia’s economic downturn, the EAEU
partnership has protected many Kyrgyz migrants from
losing their jobs and tighter immigration laws in Russia.
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Kyrgyz Republic
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