Kyrgyzstan

Cultural Attributes

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Holidays

• Independence Day

  8/31

  Independence Day

• Christmas

  12/25

  Christmas

  Kyrgyzstan is a former nation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic and is a mix of both the Western and Russian culture. The country is predominantly Islamic in nature and religion. However due to the existence of the Greek Orthodox churches the celebrations of Christmas have been made with fervor and traditional customs.

  As the country uses Russian as their main language, the greeting that they used to great one another during Christmas is also S Rozhdestvom, pronounced ‘rosh-des-vum’.

  The Santa Claus symbol is known popularly among the former Soviet Republics as Father Frost or “Dyed Moroz.” The traditions of placing shoes and stocking outside their bedroom doors have also been observed by the local Christian children. On Christmas Eve, legends say Santa Claus will be passing by their houses and leaving toys and gifts of clothes, candies and chocolates for them.

  Kyrgyzstan observes the celebration of the holiday like most Eastern European countries on January 7th which is based on the Julian calendar. The celebrations start on December 25, wherein those days leading to the New Year of December 31 and the Christmas celebration of January 7 are just preliminaries to the festivities that will be held on Christmas Day. The Christmas season ends with the Old New Year’s Day celebration that is held annually on January 14.

  On Christmas Eve, a midnight mass is held at the cathedrals and churches of the orthodox Christians and Catholics. A traditional and festive Christmas dinner is also held after the mass. In Eastern European countries it has been a tradition to bring in hay or straw to set the table for the dinner. Also brought in is the badnjak, a piece of log that is to be placed in the fireplace and kept burning all throughout the night. This is to keep certain curses and evil spirits away from the family and to bring them good luck for the coming year. A traditional prayer is then said to signify their desire to be one with their creator. The troparion song of Nativity is sung.

  Traditional dishes and cuisine is served for the family. This includes roast pig, roast turkey, lamb meats dishes, vegetables. Christmas trees are decorated with Crystals, icicles, Christmas balls, local embroidered dolls, figurines and Christmas bells. Also part of the decorations of the tree is Nativity scenes that depict the birth of Christ. Handmade figurines and ornaments are made hung on the Christmas tree.

Dates of Interest

• December 25th

  Kyrgyzstan is a former nation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic and is a mix of both the Western and Russian culture. The country is predominantly Islamic in nature and religion. However due to the existence of the Greek Orthodox churches the celebrations of Christmas have been made with fervor and traditional customs. As the country uses Russian as their main language, the greeting that they used to great one another during Christmas is also S Rozhdestvom, pronounced "rosh-des-vum" The Santa Claus symbol is known popularly among the former Soviet Republics as Father Frost or "Dyed Moroz." The traditions of placing shoes and stocking outside their bedroom doors have also been observed by the local Christian children.  On Christmas Eve, legends say Santa Claus will be passing by their houses and leaving toys and gifts of clothes, candies and chocolates for them.

How do people greet each other in Kyrgyzstan?

What are dining customs like in Kyrgyzstan?

How should I dress in Kyrgyzstan?

What is family life like in Kyrgyzstan?

What do people do for recreation in Kyrgyzstan?

Historical Eras

Overview

Timeline of Key Events

1. 745 – 840

   The Uighur of eastern Turkestan formed an empire in the north.

   The Uighur of eastern Turkestan formed an empire in the north that was ended by an invasion of the Kyrgyz peoples.

2. 1685

   Kyrgyz people settle in the area that is now Kyrgyzstan.

   Kyrgyz people settle in the area that is now Kyrgyzstan; area conquered by the Oirats, a Mongol people, after centuries of Turkic rule.

3. 1876

   Russian forces ncorporate what is now Kyrgyzstan into the Russian empire.

   Russian forces conquer the khanate of Kokand and incorporate what is now Kyrgyzstan into the Russian empire.

4. 1916 – 1917

   Many Kyrgyz seek refuge in China.

   Many Kyrgyz seek refuge in China, across the eastern border, following the Russian suppression of rebellion in Central Asia and the outbreak of civil war in the wake of the 1917 October Revolution in Russia.

5. 1920

   Many formerly nomadic Kyrgyz resettled as part of land reforms.

   Many formerly nomadic Kyrgyz resettled as part of land reforms; improvements in literacy and education made.

6. 1921

   Kyrgyzstan becomes part of the Turkestan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic.

   Area of present-day Kyrgyzstan becomes part of the Turkestan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (ASSR) within the Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic (RSFSR).

7. 1924

   Kara-Kirgiz Autonomous Region (renamed Kirgiz Autonomous Region in 1925) formed.

   Kara-Kirgiz Autonomous Region (renamed Kirgiz Autonomous Region in 1925) formed, corresponding to the borders of present-day Kyrgyzstan, after the Soviet authorities delineate new territories in Central Asia along ethnic lines.

Religion

Languages Spoken

• Kyrgyz
• Russian

Population

Population

6,735,347

Population in Major Urban Areas

BISHKEK (capital) 839,000

Nationality Noun

Kyrgyzstani(s)

Ethnic Groups

Kyrgyz 64.9%, Uzbek 13.8%, Russian 12.5%, Dungan 1.1%, Ukrainian 1%, Uygur 1%, other 5.7% (1999 census)

Education

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Health Information

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Kyrgyzstan stands at approximately 73 years overall, with notable differences between men and women. Women in Kyrgyzstan can expect to live to around 76 to 77 years, while men have a considerably shorter average lifespan of roughly 68 to 69 years. This gender gap of nearly eight years reflects broader regional patterns seen across Central Asia and the former Soviet republics. Over the past several decades, Kyrgyzstan has made measurable progress in extending the lifespan of its population. Life expectancy figures declined sharply during the turbulent 1990s following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, when economic hardship, reduced healthcare funding, and social instability took a significant toll on public health. Since the early 2000s, however, steady improvements in healthcare access, nutrition, and maternal care helped push life expectancy upward from those post-independence lows. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a notable but temporary setback in the early 2020s, reversing some of those gains before figures began recovering. Despite this progress, Kyrgyzstan still faces meaningful challenges that constrain longevity. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the country, accounting for a substantial share of adult mortality. Stroke, ischemic heart disease, and hypertension are particularly prevalent, driven in part by diets high in animal fats, low rates of physical activity in urban populations, and relatively limited access to specialist cardiac care outside of the capital, Bishkek. Respiratory diseases and road traffic accidents also contribute disproportionately to premature deaths, especially among working-age men. Rural populations tend to face greater health risks than urban residents due to limited access to hospitals and qualified medical personnel. Many rural Kyrgyz rely on underfunded local clinics with restricted diagnostic equipment and medicine supplies, which can delay treatment for serious conditions. Infant and maternal mortality rates, while improved from earlier decades, remain higher than in many neighboring upper-middle-income countries, and continued improvements in neonatal care are expected to positively influence overall life expectancy figures in coming years. Compared to global averages, Kyrgyzstan now sits close to the worldwide life expectancy benchmark of approximately 73 years, and remains broadly comparable with several of its Central Asian neighbors, though it trails higher-income countries in the region by a meaningful margin.

Infant Mortality Rate

Kyrgyzstan has made notable progress in reducing infant mortality over recent decades, though rates remain higher than in many other Central Asian and Eastern European nations. The infant mortality rate in Kyrgyzstan stands at approximately 19 to 21 deaths per 1,000 live births, reflecting gradual but steady improvements driven by investments in maternal and child health services. In the early 1990s, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Kyrgyzstan experienced a deterioration in public health infrastructure, contributing to elevated infant mortality figures that reached over 40 deaths per 1,000 live births during that period. Since then, concerted efforts by the Kyrgyz government, alongside support from international organizations such as UNICEF and the World Health Organization, have helped bring that number down significantly. Key factors influencing infant mortality in Kyrgyzstan include access to skilled birth attendants, neonatal care quality, nutritional standards among mothers and infants, and the prevalence of preventable infectious diseases. Rural and mountainous regions of the country face considerably greater challenges than urban centers like Bishkek, where healthcare facilities are more developed and better staffed. Disparities between rural and urban infant mortality rates highlight ongoing inequalities in healthcare access across the country. Neonatal mortality — deaths occurring within the first 28 days of life — accounts for a significant share of overall infant deaths in Kyrgyzstan, with conditions such as birth asphyxia, preterm complications, and neonatal infections among the leading causes. Immunization programs and improved prenatal care have contributed to reducing deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases among infants. Kyrgyzstan has committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goal targets related to child mortality, aiming to reduce under-five mortality to no more than 25 deaths per 1,000 live births by 2030. Continued investment in healthcare workforce training, expansion of essential health services into underserved communities, and improved nutrition programs are considered critical pathways toward further reducing infant mortality in the country.

Life Expectancy

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Kyrgyzstan stands at approximately 73 years overall, with notable differences between men and women. Women in Kyrgyzstan can expect to live to around 76 to 77 years, while men have a considerably shorter average lifespan of roughly 68 to 69 years. This gender gap of nearly eight years reflects broader regional patterns seen across Central Asia and the former Soviet republics. Over the past several decades, Kyrgyzstan has made measurable progress in extending the lifespan of its population. Life expectancy figures declined sharply during the turbulent 1990s following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, when economic hardship, reduced healthcare funding, and social instability took a significant toll on public health. Since the early 2000s, however, steady improvements in healthcare access, nutrition, and maternal care helped push life expectancy upward from those post-independence lows. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a notable but temporary setback in the early 2020s, reversing some of those gains before figures began recovering. Despite this progress, Kyrgyzstan still faces meaningful challenges that constrain longevity. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the country, accounting for a substantial share of adult mortality. Stroke, ischemic heart disease, and hypertension are particularly prevalent, driven in part by diets high in animal fats, low rates of physical activity in urban populations, and relatively limited access to specialist cardiac care outside of the capital, Bishkek. Respiratory diseases and road traffic accidents also contribute disproportionately to premature deaths, especially among working-age men. Rural populations tend to face greater health risks than urban residents due to limited access to hospitals and qualified medical personnel. Many rural Kyrgyz rely on underfunded local clinics with restricted diagnostic equipment and medicine supplies, which can delay treatment for serious conditions. Infant and maternal mortality rates, while improved from earlier decades, remain higher than in many neighboring upper-middle-income countries, and continued improvements in neonatal care are expected to positively influence overall life expectancy figures in coming years. Compared to global averages, Kyrgyzstan now sits close to the worldwide life expectancy benchmark of approximately 73 years, and remains broadly comparable with several of its Central Asian neighbors, though it trails higher-income countries in the region by a meaningful margin.

Infant Mortality Rate

Kyrgyzstan has made notable progress in reducing infant mortality over recent decades, though rates remain higher than in many other Central Asian and Eastern European nations. The infant mortality rate in Kyrgyzstan stands at approximately 19 to 21 deaths per 1,000 live births, reflecting gradual but steady improvements driven by investments in maternal and child health services. In the early 1990s, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Kyrgyzstan experienced a deterioration in public health infrastructure, contributing to elevated infant mortality figures that reached over 40 deaths per 1,000 live births during that period. Since then, concerted efforts by the Kyrgyz government, alongside support from international organizations such as UNICEF and the World Health Organization, have helped bring that number down significantly. Key factors influencing infant mortality in Kyrgyzstan include access to skilled birth attendants, neonatal care quality, nutritional standards among mothers and infants, and the prevalence of preventable infectious diseases. Rural and mountainous regions of the country face considerably greater challenges than urban centers like Bishkek, where healthcare facilities are more developed and better staffed. Disparities between rural and urban infant mortality rates highlight ongoing inequalities in healthcare access across the country. Neonatal mortality — deaths occurring within the first 28 days of life — accounts for a significant share of overall infant deaths in Kyrgyzstan, with conditions such as birth asphyxia, preterm complications, and neonatal infections among the leading causes. Immunization programs and improved prenatal care have contributed to reducing deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases among infants. Kyrgyzstan has committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goal targets related to child mortality, aiming to reduce under-five mortality to no more than 25 deaths per 1,000 live births by 2030. Continued investment in healthcare workforce training, expansion of essential health services into underserved communities, and improved nutrition programs are considered critical pathways toward further reducing infant mortality in the country.

Country Identity

Country Name

Kyrgyzstan

Full Country Name

Kyrgyz Republic

Local - Long

Kyrgyz Respublikasy

Former Name

Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic

Government Structure

Government Type

republic

Legal System

based on civil law system

Executive Branch

chief of state: President Sadyr JAPAROV (since 28 January 2021); note - Japarov was initially appointed acting president in October 2020 following the resignation of President Sooronbay JEENBEKOV amid mass protests over disputed parliamentary election results; Japarov subsequently won the presidential election held on 10 January 2021 head of government: Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Adylbek KASYMALIEV (since January 2024); note - the office was previously held by Akylbek JAPAROV (no relation to the president) from 2021 to 2024 cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president; the cabinet structure was significantly reorganized following the adoption of a new constitution in April 2021, which shifted Kyrgyzstan toward a presidential system and replaced the former prime ministerial structure with a Cabinet Chairman subordinate to the president elections: president directly elected by popular vote for a single six-year term (not eligible for re-election); election last held on 10 January 2021; the 2021 constitution introduced the single-term limit and extended the presidential term from five to six years election results: Sadyr JAPAROV elected president in the January 2021 election; percent of vote - Sadyr JAPAROV 79.2%, Adakhan MADUMAROV 6.8%, other candidates 14.0%

Legislative Branch

Unicameral Supreme Council or Jogorku Kenesh (90 seats; members are elected by proportional representation from party lists to serve five-year terms; parties must clear a 5% threshold nationally to gain seats) Elections: The most recent parliamentary elections were held on 28 November 2021, replacing the previous legislature that had been dissolved following political unrest and mass protests in October 2020, which erupted over disputed election results and led to the resignation of President Sooronbay Jeenbekov. A constitutional referendum in April 2021 introduced a new presidential system and expanded the legislature from 75 to 90 seats. Election results: Jogorku Kenesh — seats by party: Ata-Zhurt Kyrgyzstan 28 seats; Ishenim 24 seats; Yntymak 12 seats; Butun Kyrgyzstan 9 seats; Yiman Nuru 6 seats; Kyrgyzstan Party 5 seats; with remaining seats distributed among additional qualifying parties. The elections were monitored by international observers who noted both improvements and ongoing concerns regarding political pluralism and campaign conditions.

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court (judges are appointed for 10-year terms by the Supreme Council on the recommendation of the president); Constitutional Court; Higher Court of Arbitration

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Constitution

adopted 5 May 1993; note - amendment proposed by President AKAYEV and passed in a national referendum on 2 February 2003 significantly expands the powers of the president at the expense of the legislature

Independence

31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 31 August (1991)

Capital City

Capital Name

Bishkek

Capital - geographic coordinate

42 52 N, 74 36 E

Capital Time Difference

UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Military

Branches: Ground Forces, Air Force (includes Air Defense Forces)

Embassy / Diplomatic Mission

Snapshot

Currency Name and Code

Som (KWD)

GDP — official exchange rate

$2,144,000,000 (USD)

GDP Real Growth Rate

3.6%

Gini Index

29