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.TipVisit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.Definitions and Notes
Geography
Location
Central Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Kazakhstan
Geographic coordinates
40 00 N, 60 00 E
Map references
Asia
Area
total : 488,100 sq km
land: 469,930 sq km
water: 18,170 sq km
comparison ranking: total 55
Area – comparative
slightly more than three times the size of Georgia; slightly larger than California
Area comparison map:
Land boundaries
total: 4,158 km
border countries (4): Afghanistan 804 km; Iran 1,148 km; Kazakhstan 413 km; Uzbekistan 1,793 km
Coastline
0 km (landlocked); note – Turkmenistan borders the Caspian Sea (1,768 km)
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
Climate
subtropical desert
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
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
Natural resources
petroleum, natural gas, sulfur, salt
Land use
agricultural land: 84.3% (2022 est.)
arable land: 3.4% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 0.1% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 80.8% (2022 est.)
forest: 8.8% (2022 est.)
other: 7% (2022 est.)
Irrigated land
16,459 sq km (2012)
Major lakes (area sq km)
salt water lake(s): Caspian Sea (shared with Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia, and Kazakhstan) – 374,000 sq km
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
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: (Aral Sea basin) Amu Darya (534,739 sq km)
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
Natural hazards
earthquakes; mudslides; droughts; dust storms; floods
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
People and Society
Population
total: 5,744,151 (2024 est.)
male: 2,842,870
female: 2,901,281
comparison rankings: total 116; female 116; male 116
Nationality
noun: Turkmenistani(s)
adjective: Turkmenistani
Ethnic groups
Turkmen 85%, Uzbek 5%, Russian 4%, other 6% (2003 est.)
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.
Religions
Muslim 93%, Christian 6.4%, Buddhist <1%, folk religion <1%, Jewish <1%, other <1%, unspecified <1% (2020 est.)
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)
2024 population pyramid:
2022 population pyramid:
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.)
Median age
total: 31.2 years (2024 est.)
male: 30.7 years
female: 31.7 years
comparison ranking: total 128
Population growth rate
0.92% (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 101
Birth rate
16.8 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 93
Death rate
6 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 154
Net migration rate
-1.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 162
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
Urbanization
urban population: 54% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 2.23% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas – population
902,000 ASHGABAT (capital) (2023)
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.)
Mother’s mean age at first birth
24.2 years (2019)
Maternal mortality ratio
5 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: 162
Infant mortality rate
total: 35.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
male: 43.6 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 27.7 deaths/1,000 live births
comparison ranking: total 34
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 72.4 years (2024 est.)
male: 69.4 years
female: 75.5 years
comparison ranking: total population 162
Total fertility rate
2.02 children born/woman (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 103
Gross reproduction rate
0.99 (2024 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate
49.7% (2019)
Drinking water source
improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0% of population
rural: 0% of population
total: 0% of population (2020 est.)
Health expenditure
5.6% of GDP (2021)
8.5% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
1.93 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
Hospital bed density
4 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved:
urban: 99.8% of population
rural: 99.9% of population
total: 99.8% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0.2% of population
rural: 0.1% of population
total: 0.2% of population (2020 est.)
Obesity – adult prevalence rate
18.6% (2016)
comparison ranking: 116
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.)
comparison ranking: total 117
Tobacco use
total: 4.8% (2025 est.)
male: 9.4% (2025 est.)
female: 0.5% (2025 est.)
comparison ranking: total 162
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
3.1% (2019)
comparison ranking: 78
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
64.3% (2023 est.)
Child marriage
women married by age 15: 0.2% (2019)
women married by age 18: 6.1% (2019)
Education expenditure
2.7% of GDP (2023 est.)
20.5% national budget (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 165
Literacy
total population: 99.7%
male: 99.8%
female: 99.6% (2019 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 13 years
male: 13 years
female: 13 years (2020)
Environment
Environment – current 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
Environment – international 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
Climate
subtropical desert
Land use
agricultural land: 84.3% (2022 est.)
arable land: 3.4% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 0.1% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 80.8% (2022 est.)
forest: 8.8% (2022 est.)
other: 7% (2022 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 54% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 2.23% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Air pollutants
particulate matter emissions: 26.41 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 70.63 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 52.09 megatons (2020 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 500,000 tons (2013 est.)
Major lakes (area sq km)
salt water lake(s): Caspian Sea (shared with Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia, and Kazakhstan) – 374,000 sq km
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
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: (Aral Sea basin) Amu Darya (534,739 sq km)
Total water withdrawal
municipal: 450 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
industrial: 810 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
agricultural: 16.12 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Total renewable water resources
24.77 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Government
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
Government type
presidential republic; authoritarian
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
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
Legal system
civil law system with Islamic (sharia) law influences
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
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
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
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
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
Legislative branch
legislature name: Assembly (Mejlis)
legislative structure: unicameral
number of seats: 125 (all directly elected)
electoral system: plurality/majority
scope of elections: full renewal
term in office: 5 years
most recent election date: 3/26/2023
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: 25.6%
expected date of next election: March 2028
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
Political parties
Agrarian Party of Turkmenistan or APT
Democratic Party of Turkmenistan or DPT
Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs or PIE
note: all of these parties support President BERDIMUHAMEDOV; a law authorizing the registration of political parties went into effect in January 2012; unofficial, small opposition movements exist abroad
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:
[email protected]
https://usa.tmembassy.gov.tm/en
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:
[email protected]
https://tm.usembassy.gov/
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
Independence
27 October 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
National holiday
Independence Day, 27 October (1991)
Flag description
green field with a vertical red stripe near the hoist side, containing five tribal guls (designs used in producing carpets) stacked above two crossed olive branches; five white five-pointed stars and a white crescent moon appear in the upper corner of the field; the green color and crescent moon stand for Islam, the five stars for the country’s regions, and the guls for national identity
National symbol(s)
Akhal-Teke horse
National color(s)
green, white
National anthem
name: “Garassyz, Bitarap Turkmenistanyn” (Independent, Neutral, Turkmenistan State Anthem)
lyrics/music: collective/Veli MUKHATOV
note: adopted 1997, lyrics revised in 2008, to eliminate references to deceased President Saparmurat NYYAZOW
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)
Economy
Economic overview
upper middle-income Central Asian economy; has 10% of global natural gas reserves, exporting to Russia and China; natural resource rich; authoritarian and dominated by state-owned enterprises; major central-south Asian pipeline development
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$131.576 billion (2023 est.)
$123.778 billion (2022 est.)
$116.552 billion (2021 est.)
note: data in 2017 dollars
comparison ranking: 91
Real GDP growth rate
6.3% (2023 est.)
6.2% (2022 est.)
6.2% (2021 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 27
Real GDP per capita
$17,900 (2023 est.)
$17,100 (2022 est.)
$16,400 (2021 est.)
note: data in 2017 dollars
comparison ranking: 111
GDP (official exchange rate)
$60.629 billion (2023 est.)
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
8% (2017 est.)
3.6% (2016 est.)
comparison ranking: 177
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
comparison rankings: services 155; industry 27; agriculture 70
GDP – composition, by end use
household consumption: 50% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 9.4% (2022 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 18.3% (2023 est.)
exports of goods and services: 21.6% (2023 est.)
imports of goods and services: -12.5% (2023 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Agricultural products
milk, wheat, potatoes, cotton, watermelons, tomatoes, grapes, barley, beef, lamb/mutton (2023)
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
natural gas, oil, petroleum products, textiles, food processing
Industrial production growth rate
4.3% (2014 est.)
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 61
Labor force
2.445 million (2024 est.)
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
comparison ranking: 123
Unemployment rate
4.3% (2024 est.)
4.1% (2023 est.)
4.1% (2022 est.)
note: % of labor force seeking employment
comparison ranking: 78
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
comparison ranking: total 131
Average household expenditures
on food: 36.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco: 2.2% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
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
Budget
revenues: $5.954 billion (2019 est.)
expenditures: $6.134 billion (2019 est.)
Public debt
28.8% of GDP (2017 est.)
comparison ranking: 170
Taxes and other revenues
14.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
comparison ranking: 138
Current account balance
-$4.359 billion (2017 est.)
-$7.207 billion (2016 est.)
comparison ranking: 175
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
comparison ranking: 103
Exports – partners
China 63%, Turkey 11%, Greece 7%, Uzbekistan 6%, Azerbaijan 4% (2023)
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports – commodities
natural gas, refined petroleum, fertilizers, crude petroleum, electricity (2023)
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
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
comparison ranking: 135
Imports – partners
Turkey 21%, UAE 21%, China 20%, Kazakhstan 8%, Germany 5% (2023)
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports – commodities
broadcasting equipment, cars, wheat, computers, iron pipes (2023)
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$24.91 billion (2017 est.)
$25.05 billion (2016 est.)
comparison ranking: 54
Debt – external
$3.696 billion (2023 est.)
note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
comparison ranking: 78
Exchange rates
Turkmenistani manat (TMM) per US dollar –
Exchange rates:
4.125 (2017 est.)
3.5 (2016 est.)
3.5 (2015 est.)
3.5 (2014 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
electrification – total population: 100% (2022 est.)
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.)
comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 145; exports 26; consumption 75; installed generating capacity 82
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 100% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal
imports: 200 metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves: 799.999 million metric tons (2023 est.)
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.)
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.)
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.)
comparison ranking: total emissions 42
Energy consumption per capita
261.142 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: 11
Communications
Telephones – fixed lines
total subscriptions: 802,000 (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 10 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 76
Telephones – mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 6.25 million (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 99 (2021 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 117
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
Internet country code
.tm
Internet users
percent of population: 21% (2017 est.)
Broadband – fixed subscriptions
total: 377,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total 108
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
EZ
Airports
23 (2025)
comparison ranking: 131
Heliports
25 (2025)
comparison ranking: 51
Railways
total: 5,113 km (2017)
broad gauge: 5,113 km (2017) 1.520-m gauge
Merchant marine
total: 73 (2023)
by type: general cargo 6, oil tanker 8, other 59
comparison ranking: total 106
Military and Security
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 (2024)
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.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
limited available information; estimated 35,000 active Armed Forces (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the military’s inventory is comprised largely of Russian and Soviet-era weapons and equipment with smaller quantities of military systems from suppliers such as Brazil, China, Italy, and Turkey (2024)
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)
Military – note
the military is responsible for external defense and works closely with the Border Service on protecting the country’s borders; 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
in recent years, Turkmenistan has made efforts to strengthen its naval capabilities on the Caspian Sea, including expanding ship building capabilities, building a new naval base, and adding larger vessels to the Navy’s inventory; in 2018, Turkmenistan opened its first naval shipyard, and in 2021 the Navy commissioned its largest warship, a corvette that was jointly constructed with Turkey, to complement a small existing force of coastal patrol craft (2023)
Space
Space agency/agencies
Turkmenistan National Space Agency (established 2011; in 2019, was transferred to the Space Directorate of Turkmenaragatnashik Agency) (2024)
Space program overview
has a small space program focused on acquiring satellites and developing the infrastructure to build and operate satellites; particularly interested in remote sensing satellites for such purposes as monitoring its agricultural and transportation sectors, the oil and natural gas industry, and the ecology of the Caspian Sea; has cooperated with the space agencies and/or space industries of France, Italy, Russia, South Korea, and the US (2024)
note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
stateless persons: 4,463 (2022)
Trafficking in persons
tier rating: Tier 3 — Turkmenistan does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so, therefore, Turkmenistan remained on Tier 3; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/turkmenistan/
Illicit drugs
transit country for Afghan opiates to Turkish, Russian, and European markets, either directly from Afghanistan or through Iran; not a major producer or source country for illegal drugs or precursor chemicals
