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The Tajik people came under Russian rule in the 1860s and 1870s, but Russia's hold on Central Asia weakened following the Revolution of 1917. Bands of indigenous guerrillas (called "basmachi") fiercely contested Bolshevik control of the area, which was not fully reestablished until 1925. Tajikistan was first created as an autonomous republic within Uzbekistan in 1924, but the USSR designated Tajikistan a separate republic in 1929 and transferred to it much of present-day Sughd province. Ethnic Uzbeks form a substantial minority in Tajikistan, and ethnic Tajiks an even larger minority in Uzbekistan. Tajikistan became independent in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union, and experienced a civil war between regional factions from 1992 to 1997. Tajikistan has endured several domestic security incidents since 2010, including armed conflict between government forces and local strongmen in the Rasht Valley and between government forces and criminal groups in Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast. In September 2015, government security forces rebuffed attacks by the Ministry of Interior led by a former high-ranking official in the Ministry of Defense. President Emomali RAHMON, who came to power during the civil war, used the attacks to ban the main opposition political party in Tajikistan. In May 2016, RAHMON further strengthened his position by having himself designated “Leader of the Nation” with limitless terms and lifelong immunity through constitutional amendments ratified in a referendum. The country remains the poorest in the former Soviet sphere. Tajikistan became a member of the World Trade Organization in March 2013. However, its economy continues to face major challenges, including dependence on remittances from Tajiks working in Russia, pervasive corruption, and the opiate trade in neighboring Afghanistan.

Location

Central Asia, west of China, south of Kyrgyzstan

Natural Resources

hydropower, some petroleum, uranium, mercury, brown coal, lead, zinc, antimony, tungsten, silver, gold

Population - distribution

the country's population is concentrated at lower elevations, with perhaps as much as 90% of the people living in valleys; overall density increases from east to west

7487489
Tajik (official), Russian widely used in government and business
DUSHANBE (capital) 822,000 (2015)
Conventional long form
Republic of Tajikistan
Conventional short form
Tajikistan
Local long form
Jumhurii Tojikiston
Local short form
Tojikiston
presidential republic
Name
Dushanbe
Geographic coordinates
38 33 N, 68 46 E
Time difference
UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Tajikistan is a poor, mountainous country with an economy dominated by minerals extraction, metals processing, agriculture, and reliance on remittances from citizens working abroad. The 1992-97 civil war severely damaged an already weak economic infrastructure and caused a sharp decline in industrial and agricultural production. Today, Tajikistan has one of the lowest per capita GDPs among the 15 former Soviet republics. Less than 7% of the land area is arable and cotton is the most important crop. Tajikistan imports approximately 70% of its food. Mineral resources include silver, gold, uranium, antimony, and tungsten. Industry consists mainly of small obsolete factories in food processing and light industry, substantial hydropower facilities, and a large aluminum plant - currently operating well below its capacity.
Inflation
6.005%
External debt stocks
US$ 5,099,934,000
Total tax rate (% of commercial profits)
65.2%
Real Interest Rate
25.68%
Manufacturing, value added (% of GDP)
11.187%
Current Account Balance
US$ -264,740,340
Labor Force, Total
3,887,905
Employment in Agriculture
52.92%
Employment in Industry
15.63%
Employment in Services
31.06%
Unemployment Rate
10.82%
Imports of goods and services
US$ 3,320,954,925
Exports of goods and services
US$ 824,913,290
Total Merchandise Trade
57.54%
FDI, net inflows
US$ 344,147,210
Commercial Service Exports
US$ 231,825,040
cotton, grain, fruits, grapes, vegetables; cattle, sheep, goats
aluminum, cement, vegetable oil
Commodities
aluminum, electricity, cotton, fruits, vegetable oil, textiles
Partners
Turkey 19.8%, Kazakhstan 17.6%, Switzerland 13.7%, Iran 8.7%, Afghanistan 7.5%, Russia 5.1%, China 4.9%, Italy 4.8% (2015)
Commodities
petroleum products, aluminum oxide, machinery and equipment, foodstuffs
Partners
China 42.3%, Russia 18%, Kazakhstan 13.1%, Iran 4.7% (2015)
Country Risk Rating
D
A high-risk political and economic situation and an often very difficult business environment can have a very significant impact on corporate payment behavior. Corporate default probability is very high.
Business Climate Rating
D
The business environment is very difficult. Corporate financial information is rarely available and when available usually unreliable. The legal system makes debt collection very unpredictable. The institutional framework has very serious weaknesses. Intercompany transactions can thus be very difficult to manage in the highly risky environments rated D.
  • Significant hydroelectric potential
  • Wealth of raw material resources (aluminum, cotton, and materials)
  • Financial support of international donors, including China
  • Weak foreign exchange reserves
  • Dependence on remittances from expatriate workers
  • Risk of destabilization associated with Islamist terrorism
  • High levels of poverty and poor performance regarding governance

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