Turkmenistan: general information about country, happiness index 2024

World Happiness Report for Turkmenistan 2024

  • Overall Happiness Rank Turkmenistan: na
  • Happiness Score Turkmenistan:na

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 Turkmenistan. TM.

    Turkmenistan is

  • A presidential republic with a single-party system
  • Known for its rich and diverse cultural heritage, including traditional music, dance, and epic poetry
  • A major producer of natural gas, with the fifth largest reserves in the world
  • Turkmenistan – A Comprehensive Overview

    Early History: Turkmenistan’s territory has been inhabited since ancient times, with the earliest known settlements dating back to the 6th millennium BC. The region was part of the Persian Achaemenid Empire and later the Parthian and Sassanid empires.

    Kingdoms and Empires: In the 7th century AD, the area was conquered by the Arab caliphates, and later ruled by various Turkic kingdoms and empires, including the Seljuk Empire, the Khwarazmian Empire, and the Golden Horde.

    Colonial Period: In the 19th century, the territory of present-day Turkmenistan was gradually conquered by the Russian Empire and became part of the Transcaspian region.

    Independence and Modern Era: After the Russian Revolution of 1917, Turkmenistan became a constituent republic of the Soviet Union. It gained independence in 1991 following the dissolution of the USSR. Saparmurat Niyazov, the country’s first president, ruled with an authoritarian regime until his death in 2006.

    Current Political Situation: Turkmenistan is a presidential republic with a single-party system dominated by the Democratic Party of Turkmenistan. The current president is Serdar Berdimuhamedow, who took office in 2022.

    International Relations: Turkmenistan maintains a neutral foreign policy and has good relations with its neighbors, including Russia, Iran, and China. It is a member of various international organizations, such as the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

    Human Development and Economy: Turkmenistan has a largely state-controlled economy, heavily dependent on natural gas exports. The country has made progress in human development but faces challenges in areas like freedom of expression and environmental sustainability.

    Cultural Highlights: Turkmenistan has a rich cultural heritage influenced by its Turkic roots and Islamic traditions. Notable aspects include traditional carpet weaving, horse breeding, and the Akhal-Teke horse breed.

    Turkmenistan faces challenges in diversifying its economy, improving human rights, and addressing environmental issues like water scarcity and the drying up of the Aral Sea.

    Travel Tips for Turkmenistan

    • Best times to visit: Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) for mild temperatures.
    • Cultural etiquette: Dress modestly, remove shoes when entering homes, and avoid public displays of affection.
    • Safety precautions: Exercise caution in remote areas, register with your embassy, and follow local laws.
    • Must-see landmarks: Ancient cities of Merv and Konye-Urgench, Darvaza Gas Crater, Nissa fortress.
    • Culinary experiences: Try traditional dishes like plov (rice pilaf), shashlik (skewered meat), and samsa (baked pastry).

    Living in Turkmenistan

    • Cost of living: Relatively low, but prices for imported goods can be high.
    • Housing: Apartments and houses available for rent or purchase, but foreigners may face restrictions.
    • Healthcare: Public healthcare system, but quality varies; private clinics available in major cities.
    • Education: Secular education system, with opportunities for international schools and universities.
    • Lifestyle: Family-oriented, with traditional values; limited nightlife and entertainment options.

    Cultural norms: Respect for elders, hospitality, and conservative social norms. Foreigners need to obtain proper visas and work permits.

    Doing Business in Turkmenistan

    • Business culture: Hierarchical, with importance placed on personal relationships and face-to-face interactions.
    • Economic climate: Heavily focused on natural gas exports, with a state-controlled economy.
    • Key industries: Oil and gas, agriculture, textiles, construction materials.
    • Legal frameworks: Complex bureaucracy, with potential challenges in areas like contract enforcement and transparency.
    • Strategies: Build relationships, emphasize long-term commitments, and navigate local regulations carefully.

    Studying in Turkmenistan

    • Educational system: Secular, with primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of education.
    • Top universities: Turkmen State University, International University for Humanities and Development.
    • Student life: Limited extracurricular activities, with opportunities for cultural exchange and language learning.
    • Visa requirements: International students need to obtain student visas and meet admission criteria.
    • Opportunities: Study Turkmen language and culture, pursue fields like energy and agriculture.

Main facts

Location

Turkmenistan is a landlocked country located in Central Asia. It borders the Caspian Sea to the west, Kazakhstan to the northwest, Uzbekistan to the north and east, Afghanistan to the southeast, and Iran to the south.

Map References

Turkmenistan is situated in Central Asia.

Area – Comparative

Turkmenistan has an area of approximately 488,100 sq km, making it slightly larger than the state of California.

Land Boundaries and Border Countries

Turkmenistan shares land borders with the following countries:

Coastline (if applicable)

Turkmenistan has a coastline of 1,768 km along the Caspian Sea.

Maritime Claims

Turkmenistan claims the following maritime zones:

  • Territorial sea: 12 nautical miles
  • Exclusive economic zone: 200 nautical miles

Climate

Turkmenistan has a continental climate with long, hot summers and mild winters. The country is largely arid, with subtropical conditions in the far southwestern region.

Terrain

Turkmenistan is predominantly flat, with deserts and oases occupying much of the territory. The Garagum Desert covers the central and northern regions, while the Kopetdag Mountains run along the southwestern border with Iran.

Elevation Extremes

The highest elevation in Turkmenistan is Gora Ayribaba at 3,139 meters, located in the Kugitangtau Range. The lowest point is Akjagylgol Depression at -81 meters.

Natural Resources

Turkmenistan’s major natural resources include petroleum, natural gas, sulfur, salt, and gypsum.

Major Bodies of Water

The major bodies of water in Turkmenistan include:

Natural Hazards

Turkmenistan is subject to the following natural hazards:

  • Earthquakes
  • Droughts
  • Sandstorms

Geography – Notes

Turkmenistan has significant hydrocarbon resources, particularly natural gas reserves. However, the country’s arid climate and limited water resources pose challenges for agriculture and economic development. The Karakum Desert occupies a large portion of the country’s territory.

  • Forest Area (% of land area): 8.80%. This is the percentage of a country’s total land area that is covered by natural or planted forests.
  • Co2 Emissions: 70,63. 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( %). 72.00%. Agricultural land refers to the share of land area that is arable and used for cultivating crops or raising livestock.
  • Geographic Coordinates:  38.96971959.556278.
  • Capital: The capital of Turkmenistan is  Ashgabat
  • Major Cities:
    • Ashgabat – Population: 1,032,000
    • Turkmenabat – Population: 254,000
    • Dashoguz – Population: 202,000
    • Mary – Population: 126,000
    • Balkanabat – Population: 88,000
  • Population: 5,942,089
  • Area(Km2): 488100
  • Population Density( P/Km²):13. This is the number of people living per square kilometer of land area in a given region or country.
  • Calling Code:993
  • Official Language(s):Turkmenistan is Turkmen with 72% of the population speaking it as their primary language.
  • Currency: TMT

Main Economic Indicators

Turkmenistan has a single-party presidential republic and a centralized economy dominated by the hydrocarbon sector. The country possesses the world’s fourth-largest reserves of natural gas and significant oil resources. However, Turkmenistan’s economy faces challenges due to its over-reliance on hydrocarbons, an authoritarian governance system, and a lack of economic diversification.

Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)

2021: 9.8%
2020: 10.7%
(Source: Asian Development Bank)

Credit Ratings

Fitch: Not Rated
Moody’s: Not Rated
Standard & Poor’s: Not Rated

GDP – Composition by Sector of Origin

Agriculture: 9.2%
Industry: 49.9%
Services: 40.9%
(2017 estimates)

Key Agricultural and Industrial Products

Agricultural Products: Cotton, grain, fruit, vegetables, livestock

Industrial Products: Natural gas, oil, petroleum products, textiles, food processing

Labor Force

Total Labor Force: 2.782 million (2020 estimate)
Comparative Ranking: Not available

Current Account Balance

2021: $3.48 billion (surplus)
2020: $-$340 million (deficit)
Comparative Ranking: Not available

Exports and Imports

Exports: $9.44 billion (2021 estimate)
Key Partners: China, Turkey, Russia, Italy, Afghanistan
Main Commodities: Natural gas, crude oil, petrochemicals, textiles, cotton fiber

Imports: $4.74 billion (2021 estimate)
Key Partners: Turkey, Russia, China, United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan
Main Commodities: Machinery, food products, textiles, base metals

Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold

Foreign Exchange Reserves: $3.6 billion (2021 estimate)
Gold Reserves: 0.7 million ounces (2021 estimate)

  • GDP (Current US$):$40,761,142,857. 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): . 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): . 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. $0.29. 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. $0.88. 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 (%): 3.91%. 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

1. National Identity

Noun: Turkmen
Adjective: Turkmen

2. Ethnic Groups

Major ethnic groups:

– Turkmen: 85%

– Russian: 4%

– Uzbek: 5%

– Other: 6% (includes Kazakh, Tatar, Ukrainian, Armenian, Azeri)

3. Religions

Main religious affiliations:

– Muslim: 89% (mostly Sunni)

– Eastern Orthodox: 9%

– Other: 2%

4. Age Structure

Age distribution:

– 0-14 years: 27.85%

– 15-64 years: 67.21%

– 65 years and over: 4.94%

5. Dependency Ratios

Total dependency ratio: 48.8

Youth dependency ratio: 41.4

Elderly dependency ratio: 7.4

6. Median Age

Median age: 29.3 years

Median age (male): 28.6 years

Median age (female): 30.1 years

7. Lifestyle Indicators

Obesity rates: 18.6% of the adult population

Alcohol consumption: 4.9 liters of pure alcohol per capita per year

Tobacco use: 11.8% of adults

Other: High rates of hypertension and diabetes

  • Life Expectancy at Birth: 68.1. 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): 100%. 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:23.83. 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:7. 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: 2.79. 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): 19.3%. 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: 3,092,738. 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):71.10%. 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 National Armed Forces of Turkmenistan consist of the Army, Air Force, and Air Defense Force. Notable units include the Special Forces Brigade and Border Guard Service. The Internal Security Force is responsible for domestic security, with a National Security Ministry overseeing security services.

Military Expenditures

Turkmenistan’s military spending as a percentage of GDP for the past five years:

  • 2022: 3.1%
  • 2021: 3.3%
  • 2020: 3.2%
  • 2019: 3.4%
  • 2018: 3.5%

Turkmenistan’s military expenditure ranks 64th globally.

Personnel Strengths

Total active-duty military personnel: 36,000

  • Army: 22,000
  • Air Force: 8,000
  • Air Defense Force: 6,000

Other security services include the Internal Security Force (15,000) and Border Guard Service (10,000).

Military Equipment Inventories and Acquisitions

Key military equipment includes:

  • Tanks and Armored Vehicles (mostly Russian-made)
  • Artillery and Air Defense Systems
  • Fighter and Transport Aircraft
  • Helicopters

Turkmenistan has plans to modernize its military hardware through imports from Russia and other CIS countries.

Military Service Age and Obligation

Military service is compulsory for males aged 18-27. Conscripts serve 2 years in the Army or 1.5 years in the Air Force and Air Defense Force. Voluntary military service programs are also available.

Military Deployments

Turkmenistan has no overseas military deployments. It contributes 5 troops to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeeping mission.

Strategic Military Notes

Turkmenistan’s defense strategy focuses on border security and counter-terrorism operations. The military maintains a neutral stance but cooperates with Russia and other CIS nations for training and equipment acquisitions. Turkmenistan is not part of any major military alliance.

  • Armed Forces Size: 36500. 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 2.22
  • Population: Labor Force Participation (%): 64.50%. 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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