Mongolia: general information about country, happiness index 2024

World Happiness Report for Mongolia 2024

  • Overall Happiness Rank Mongolia: 77
  • Happiness Score Mongolia:5.696

Happiness is a subjective concept that has long been debated by philosophers, psychologists, and economists alike. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in quantifying happiness and using it as a measure of a nation’s overall well-being. This is where the concept of the Happiness Index comes into play.

What is the Happiness Index?

The Happiness Index is a measure that attempts to quantify the overall happiness and life satisfaction of a country’s population. It is based on the idea that traditional economic indicators, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), do not fully capture the overall well-being of a society. The Happiness Index takes into account various factors that contribute to an individual’s sense of happiness and life satisfaction, including social support, freedom to make life choices, healthy life expectancy, and perceptions of corruption.

How is the Happiness Index Calculated?

The Happiness Index is calculated through a combination of subjective and objective data. The primary source of data is the Gallup World Poll, which is a survey conducted in over 160 countries. The survey asks respondents to rate their overall life satisfaction on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being the worst possible life and 10 being the best possible life.

In addition to the life satisfaction score, the Happiness Index also takes into account the following factors:

  1. GDP per capita: This is a measure of a country’s economic output and standard of living.
  2. Social support: This factor measures the extent to which individuals have supportive relationships and love in their lives.
  3. Healthy life expectancy: This is a measure of the number of years an individual is expected to live in good health.
  4. Freedom to make life choices: This factor measures the extent to which individuals are able to make decisions about their lives without external constraints.
  5. Generosity: This factor measures the extent to which individuals engage in charitable activities and donate to others.
  6. Perceptions of corruption: This factor measures the extent to which individuals perceive their society to be free from corruption.

These factors are weighted and combined to produce an overall Happiness Index score for each country.

What Does the Happiness Index Affect?

The Happiness Index has significant implications for policymaking and societal well-being. Countries with higher Happiness Index scores are generally considered to have better overall quality of life and well-being for their citizens. This can have positive impacts on various aspects of society, including:

  1. Economic productivity: Happier individuals tend to be more productive and engaged in their work, which can contribute to a country’s economic growth.
  2. Public health: Higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction are associated with better physical and mental health outcomes, which can reduce healthcare costs and improve overall well-being.
  3. Social cohesion: Societies with higher levels of happiness tend to have stronger social bonds and lower levels of conflict and crime.
  4. Environmental sustainability: Happier individuals may be more likely to engage in environmentally-friendly behaviors and support policies that promote sustainability.

By focusing on the factors that contribute to happiness and well-being, policymakers can develop strategies to improve the overall quality of life for their citizens. The Happiness Index provides a valuable tool for measuring progress and identifying areas where improvements can be made.

Short information

  • Abbreviation of Mongolia. MN.

    Mongolia is a landlocked country in East Asia known for its vast, rugged expanses and nomadic culture.

  • It is a parliamentary republic with a president as the head of state and a prime minister as the head of government.
  • The country’s economy is heavily dependent on mining, particularly copper, gold, and coal.
  • Mongolia – Overview

    Early History:

    Mongolia’s earliest inhabitants were nomadic hunter-gatherers who migrated from Siberia during the Upper Paleolithic period. The first major civilization was the Xiongnu Empire, a powerful nomadic confederacy that dominated the region from the 3rd century BC to the 1st century AD. The Xiongnu were followed by the Xianbei, Rouran, and Turkic Khaganates.

    Kingdoms and Empires:

    The Mongol Empire, founded by Genghis Khan in 1206, was the largest contiguous land empire in history. It stretched from Eastern Europe to the Sea of Japan, uniting nomadic tribes under a single military and administrative system. The empire fragmented in the 14th century, leading to the rise of smaller Mongol khanates.

    Colonial Period:

    Mongolia was never formally colonized, though it came under Chinese suzerainty during the Qing dynasty from the 17th to the early 20th century. The Mongolian lands were considered part of the Qing Empire and were governed by the Qing court.

    Independence and Modern Era:

    Mongolia declared independence from China in 1911 after the Qing dynasty collapsed. However, it was not until 1921 that the Mongolian People’s Republic, a Soviet satellite state, was established after the Mongolian Revolution. Mongolia remained under Soviet influence until the democratic revolution of 1990, which initiated a transition to a multi-party democracy and market economy.

    Current Political Situation:

    Mongolia is a semi-presidential unitary sovereign state with a democratic multi-party system. The current president is Khaltmaagiin Battulga, and the prime minister is Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene. The country has a unicameral parliament called the State Great Khural.

    International Relations:

    Mongolia maintains a non-aligned foreign policy and has good relations with its neighbors Russia and China. It is a member of the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and the Non-Aligned Movement. Mongolia has no major international conflicts or disputes.

    Human Development and Economy:

    Mongolia has a rapidly growing market economy that relies heavily on mining, agriculture, and animal husbandry. Major industries include copper, coal, gold, and cashmere wool. Mongolia has a Human Development Index of 0.737, ranking it 92nd globally.

    Cultural Highlights:

    Mongolia’s nomadic culture and traditions are deeply rooted, with many Mongolians still practicing nomadic pastoralism. The country is predominantly Buddhist, with Tibetan Buddhism being the major religion. The Mongolian language, part of the Altaic language family, is the official language.

    Conclusion: Major challenges facing Mongolia include economic diversification, environmental protection, and balancing traditional nomadic culture with urbanization. However, Mongolia’s strategic location, natural resources, and democratic progress present opportunities for continued development and regional cooperation.

    Travel Tips for Mongolia

    – Best Times to Visit: The summer months (June-August) offer mild weather and the peak tourist season, while winter (December-February) brings freezing temperatures ideal for experiencing traditional festivals and winter sports.

    – Cultural Etiquette: Respect Buddhist temples and monasteries, avoid pointing your feet towards people or religious objects, and be cautious when photographing locals without permission.

    – Safety Precautions: Mongolia is generally safe, but take precautions against petty crime in cities and extreme weather conditions in remote areas.

    – Must-See Landmarks: Explore the Gandan Monastery in Ulaanbaatar, visit the Gobi Desert and Khongor Sand Dunes, and experience the annual Naadam Festival celebrating Mongolian culture.

Main facts

1. Location

Mongolia is a landlocked country in East Asia, located between Russia to the north and China to the south. It lies in the northern part of the Central Asian steppe, with the Gobi Desert covering a substantial portion of its southern territory.

2. Map References

Mongolia is situated in Central Asia, bordered by Russia and China.

3. Area – Comparative

With an area of 1,564,116 square kilometers (603,909 square miles), Mongolia is slightly smaller than the state of Alaska in the United States.

4. Land Boundaries and Border Countries

Mongolia shares land borders with two countries, with a total border length of 8,362 km:

China: 4,677 km

Russia: 3,485 km

5. Coastline

Mongolia is a landlocked country with no coastline.

6. Maritime Claims

As a landlocked country, Mongolia has no maritime claims.

7. Climate

Mongolia has a harsh continental climate with extreme seasonal temperature variations. It is characterized by long, cold winters and short, hot summers. The country experiences very little precipitation, with most rainfall occurring in the summer months.

8. Terrain

Mongolia’s terrain consists primarily of vast semi-desert and desert plains, with mountains in the west and southwest. The Altai Mountains in the west and the Khangai Mountains in the center are the major mountain ranges. The Gobi Desert covers a significant portion of the southern part of the country.

9. Elevation Extremes

The highest point in Mongolia is Khüiten Peak at 4,374 meters (14,350 feet), located in the Mongolian Altai Mountains. The lowest point is the Hövsgöl Nuur (Khövsgöl Lake) at 1,645 meters (5,397 feet) above sea level.

10. Natural Resources

Mongolia’s major natural resources include oil, coal, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, phosphates, tin, nickel, zinc, fluorspar, gold, silver, and iron.

11. Major Bodies of Water

The major bodies of water in Mongolia include:

– Selenge River (shared with Russia)

– Khövsgöl Lake

– Buir Lake (shared with China)

12. Natural Hazards

Mongolia is prone to several natural hazards, including dust storms, severe cold weather, and periodic droughts.

13. Geography – Notes

Mongolia is the world’s second-largest landlocked country, with a vast and sparsely populated territory. Its geography is dominated by the Gobi Desert and steppe grasslands, making agriculture and livestock rearing crucial economic activities. The country also has significant mineral resources, which contribute to its mining industry.

  • Forest Area (% of land area): 8.00%. This is the percentage of a country’s total land area that is covered by natural or planted forests.
  • Co2 Emissions: 25,368. CO2 emissions refer to the release of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes.
  • Agricultural Land( %). 71.50%. Agricultural land refers to the share of land area that is arable and used for cultivating crops or raising livestock.
  • Geographic Coordinates:  46.862496103.846656.
  • Capital: The capital of Mongolia is  Ulaanbaatar
  • Major Cities:
    • Ulaanbaatar – Population: 1,480,000
    • Erdenet – Population: 97,814
    • Darkhan – Population: 74,300
    • Choibalsan – Population: 38,699
    • Ölgii – Population: 28,601
  • Population: 3,225,167
  • Area(Km2): 1564116
  • Population Density( P/Km²):2. This is the number of people living per square kilometer of land area in a given region or country.
  • Calling Code:976
  • Official Language(s):Mongolian is the primary language spoken in Mongolia, with 95% of the population speaking it.
  • Currency: MNT

Main Economic Indicators

Mongolia has a small, open economy driven primarily by mineral exports. The country has abundant natural resources, including coal, copper, gold, and other minerals. However, Mongolia faces challenges due to its remote location, harsh climate, and limited infrastructure. The government aims to promote economic diversification, attract foreign investment, and develop renewable energy sources.

Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2021: 7.1% (Source: National Statistics Office of Mongolia)
2020: 3.7% (Source: National Statistics Office of Mongolia)

Credit Ratings

Moody’s: B3 (Stable)
Fitch: B (Stable)
Standard & Poor’s: B (Stable)

GDP – Composition by Sector of Origin

Agriculture: 10.7%
Industry: 38.1%
Services: 51.2%
(Source: National Statistics Office of Mongolia, 2021 estimates)

Key Agricultural and Industrial Products

Agricultural Products: Livestock, animal products, wheat, barley, vegetables
Industrial Products: Copper, gold, coal, molybdenum, fluorspar, crude oil, construction materials

Labor Force

Total Labor Force: 1.23 million (2021 estimate)
Labor Force Ranking: 138th globally (Source: CIA World Factbook)

Current Account Balance

Current Account Balance:
2021: -$832.6 million (Source: National Statistics Office of Mongolia)
2020: $207.9 million (Source: National Statistics Office of Mongolia)
Current Account Balance Ranking: 113th globally (CIA World Factbook, 2021 estimate)

Exports and Imports

Exports:
Total Value: $8.04 billion (2021 estimate)
Key Partners: China (68.8%), Switzerland (7.7%), Japan (4.8%), Russia (3.8%)
Main Commodities: Copper, coal, gold, iron ore, crude oil
Imports:
Total Value: $7.86 billion (2021 estimate)
Key Partners: China (35.6%), Russia (26.9%), Japan (8.1%), South Korea (5.1%)
Main Commodities: Machinery and equipment, fuel, cars, food products, industrial consumer goods

Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold

Foreign Exchange Reserves: $4.38 billion (as of December 2021)
Gold Reserves: 22.1 tons (as of December 2021)

  • GDP (Current US$):$13,852,850,259. It represents a country’s gross domestic product measured in current US dollars. Higher values indicate a larger economy and economic output.
  • Tax Revenue (% of GDP): 16.80%. It refers to the amount of tax revenue collected by the government, expressed as a percentage of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Higher values indicate a higher tax burden relative to the size of the economy.
  • Total Tax Rate (% of commercial profits): 25.70%. This is the sum of all taxes payable by businesses, expressed as a percentage of their commercial profits. Higher values indicate a higher tax burden on businesses.
  • Gasoline Price. $0.72. It refers to the cost of one liter or gallon of gasoline/petrol. Higher values indicate more expensive gasoline prices for consumers and businesses.
  • Minimum wage. $0.65. It refers to the lowest legally mandated hourly wage that employers must pay their workers. Higher values indicate a higher minimum level of pay for low-wage workers.
  • Unemployment Rate (%): 6.01%. It represents the percentage of the labor force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate more joblessness in the economy.

Social Indicators

National Identity

Noun: Mongolian(s)

Adjective: Mongolian

Ethnic Groups

  • Khalkha Mongolian: 81.9%
  • Turkic (Kazakh, Tuvan, and others): 3.8%
  • Other (including Russian, Chinese, and American): 14.3%

Religions

  • Buddhist: 53%
  • Muslim: 3%
  • Shamanist: 2.9%
  • Christian: 2.1%
  • Other/None: 39%

Age Structure

  • 0-14 years: 27.38%
  • 15-64 years: 67.93%
  • 65 years and over: 4.69%

Dependency Ratios

Total Dependency Ratio: 47.4%

Youth Dependency Ratio: 40.3%

Elderly Dependency Ratio: 7.1%

Median Age

Total: 28.5 years

Male: 27.6 years

Female: 29.4 years

Lifestyle Indicators

  • Obesity Rate: 20.7% of the adult population
  • Alcohol Consumption: 7.9 liters of pure alcohol per capita per year
  • Tobacco Use: 49.4% of adults aged 15 and over
  • Life Expectancy at Birth: 69.9 years (64.8 years for males, 75.2 years for females)
  • Life Expectancy at Birth: 69.7. Life Expectancy at Birth refers to the estimated average number of years a newborn is expected to live based on current mortality rates. Higher values indicate better health outcomes and living conditions in a country or region.
  • Literacy Rate (% of adults): 98.4%. It refers to the percentage of the population aged 15 and above who can read and write with understanding of a short simple statement about their everyday life. Higher literacy rates indicate better educational attainment within a population.
  • Birth Rate:24.13. Birth Rate is the total number of live births per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher birth rates indicate a larger share of the population being born each year.
  • Death Rate:6. Death Rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher death rates indicate more people dying annually within a population.
  • Fertility Rate: 2.8. Fertility Rate is the average number of children a woman would have over her reproductive years based on current birth rates. Higher fertility rates indicate larger family sizes and population growth.
  • Internet Users (% of population): 21.%. Internet Users (% of population) refers to the percentage of the total population in a country or region that has access to and uses the internet. Higher values indicate greater internet penetration and connectivity among the population.
  • Urban Population: 2,210,626. Urban Population refers to the percentage or number of people living in urban areas or cities within a country or region. Higher urban population values indicate greater urbanization and concentration of people in cities compared to rural areas.
  • Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure):39.30%. Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure) represents the portion of total health care costs that individuals pay directly out of their own pockets, rather than being covered by insurance or government programs. Higher values indicate greater personal financial burden for health care expenses.

Infrastructure and Services

Military and Security Forces

The Mongolian Armed Forces consist of three main branches: the Mongolian Air Force, the Mongolian Army, and the Mongolian Territorial Forces. The Army is the largest service and includes specialized units like the Special Forces Brigade and Air Defense Force.

Internal security is primarily handled by the national police force, which is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs. The General Authority for Border Protection also plays a role in maintaining border security.

Military Expenditures

Mongolia’s military expenditures as a percentage of GDP for the last five years:

  • 2022: 0.9%
  • 2021: 0.8%
  • 2020: 0.9%
  • 2019: 1.0%
  • 2018: 0.9%

Mongolia ranks 110th globally in terms of military spending as a share of GDP.

Personnel Strengths

The total active military personnel in Mongolia is approximately 10,000, with the following breakdown:

  • Army: 7,200
  • Air Force: 2,500
  • Territorial Forces: 300

The national police force has around 12,000 personnel, and the General Authority for Border Protection employs around 3,000 officers.

Military Equipment Inventories and Acquisitions

Mongolia’s military equipment inventory includes:

  • Main battle tanks: T-72 and BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles
  • Armored personnel carriers: BTR-70 and BTR-80
  • Artillery: D-30 122mm howitzers, 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled guns
  • Air assets: MiG-29 fighter jets, Mi-24 attack helicopters, and various transport helicopters

Mongolia has plans to acquire new military equipment, including modernized armor and air defense systems, as part of its Khuvsgal military modernization program.

Military Service Age and Obligation

In Mongolia, military service is mandatory for males aged 18-25. The service obligation is 12 months for army and air force recruits, and 10 months for territorial forces.

Mongolia also has a voluntary military service program, the Contract Soldiers Program, which offers longer enlistment periods and additional benefits.

Military Deployments

Mongolia currently has around 850 personnel deployed overseas as part of international peacekeeping missions, including:

  • United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA): 230 personnel
  • United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL): 200 personnel
  • United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights: 20 personnel

Strategic Military Notes

Mongolia’s defense strategy is focused on maintaining a small but capable military force for national defense and participation in international peacekeeping operations. The country aims to balance its military relationships with Russia and China, while also strengthening ties with the United States, Japan, and other partners.

Mongolia is an active participant in international security frameworks, including the UN Peacekeeping Operations and the NATO Partnership for Peace program. The Mongolian Armed Forces also engage in joint exercises and training with various partner nations.

  • Armed Forces Size: 9700. Armed Forces Size refers to the total number of active personnel serving in a country’s military forces, including the army, navy, air force, and other branches. Higher values indicate a larger military presence and personnel.
  • Physicians per Thousand: Number of doctors per 1,000 people is 2.86
  • Population: Labor Force Participation (%): 59.70%. This is the percentage of the total population aged 15 and older that is economically active, meaning they are either employed or actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate a greater proportion of the working-age population engaged in the labor force.

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