People and Society of Kyrgyzstan

Nationality

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)

Population

6,735,347

Population in Major Urban Areas

BISHKEK (capital) 839,000

Medical services in the Kyrgyz Republic are extremely limited. Elderly travelers and those with existing health problems may be at risk due to inadequate medical facilities. Medications such as insulin and pain medications that are commonly available elsewhere may not be available in the Kyrgyz Republic or may be restricted. The U.S. Embassy strongly recommends that travelers to the Kyrgyz Republic carry medical evacuation insurance in case of emergency.

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.

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

• Muslim75.0%
• Russian Orthodox20.0%
• other5.0%

Kyrgyz - official language, Russian - official language

• Kyrgyz
• Russian

Crime Information

The U.S. Embassy advises U.S. citizens to exercise caution in urban areas of the Kyrgyz Republic due to the high rate of violent crime against foreigners. There have been reports of violent muggings of foreigners in downtown Bishkek at night. Other common crimes include auto theft and pick pocketing in crowded places such as markets, internet cafes, and on public transportation. After dark, travelers should not take public transportation or walk outside and should be extremely cautious in or near hotels, bars, parks, and all places that attract an expatriate clientele. The U.S. Embassy advises its employees to avoid the use of unlicensed cabs and recommends using only radio dispatched taxis. Travelers arriving at Manas International Airport should arrange their transportation from the airport in advance. There have been reports of U.S. citizens who were robbed by groups of young men who had followed them back to their residences from hotels and bars. In addition, U.S. citizens have been victims of rape, assault, and kidnapping in the past in the Kyrgyz Republic. Police officers rarely speak English and there are no victims’ assistance programs available. Medical care and counseling services for victims are limited. Harassment and extortion by people who purport to be Kyrgyz police officers take place occasionally. According to Kyrgyz law, any person claiming to be a police officer must show identifying documents on demand. U.S. citizens should not act upon requests by people, whether in civilian dress or in police uniform, if they have no official identification. U.S. citizens also should not get into cars with anyone they do not know, even if the person claims to be a police officer. Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may be breaking local law. You could be prosecuted under U.S. law for pirated goods you purchased in the Kyrgyz Republic.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in the Kyrgyz Republic, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. In some places you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you. In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings. In some places, driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. These criminal penalties will vary from country to country. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in the Kyrgyz Republic, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not wherever you go. . In the Kyrgyz Republic, you may be taken in by police for questioning if you do not have your passport with you. Driving under the influence of alcohol, no matter how little you consumed, is considered a serious offense. Persons violating Kyrgyz Republic laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in the Kyrgyz Republic are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.