Mongolia

Cultural Attributes

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Holidays

• Independence Day/Revolution Day

  7/11

  Independence

• Christmas

  12/25

  Christmas

  Christmas is not widely celebrated in Mongolia, instead Mongolians celebrate Tsagaan Sar (white moon or white month) a New Year festival celebrated two months after the first new moon following the winter solstice. On the day of the white moon, people greet each other by saying ’Amar mend uu?’ or ’Amar bain uu?’, a very formal greeting which is reserved for one’s elders. A typical Mongolian family will meet in the home dwelling of the eldest in the family in their full garment of national Mongolian costumes. Traditional food for the festival includes dairy products, rice with curds or rice with raisin, traditional cookies resembling a pyramid on a large dish in a special fashion symbolizing Mount Sumeruor Shambhalarealm, a grilled side of sheep and minced beef or minced mutton steamed inside pastry, a dish known as buuz, horse meat and traditional cookies. Tsagaan Sar is a lavish feast, requiring preparation days in advance, as the women make large quantities of buuz and freeze them to save for the holiday. The popular beverage is salted milk tea or Süütei Tsa, which may turn into a more healthy soup by adding rice, meat, or Bansh.

Dates of Interest

• November 11th

  National Pride Day, observed on November 11th, celebrates Mongolian culture, heritage, and national identity. It is a day for patriotic activities, cultural performances, and expressions of national pride.

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Historical Eras

Overview

Timeline of Key Events

1. 300 BCE

   Iron weapons in use; Xiongnu invasion of China repulsed.

   Iron weapons in use; Xiongnu invasion of China repulsed.

2. 200 BCE

   Nomads expand west; pressure on China continues.

   Nomads expand west; pressure on China continues.

3. 317

   Xianbei conquer northern China.

   Xianbei conquer northern China.

4. 386 – 533

   Period of Northern Wei Dynasty, established by the Toba in northern China mid-8th century.

   Period of Northern Wei Dynasty, established by the Toba in northern China mid-8th century.

5. 916 – 1125

   Period of Kitan Liao Dynasty.

   Period of Kitan Liao Dynasty, established over eastern Mongolia, Manchuria, and northern China.

6. 1038 – 1227

   Tangut Western Xia Dynasty, established in northwestern China.

   Tangut Western Xia Dynasty, established in northwestern China.

7. 1115 – 1234

   Jurchen establish Jin Dynasty in Manchuria, northern China.

   Jurchen establish Jin Dynasty in Manchuria, northern China.

Religion

Languages Spoken

• Khalkha Mongol
• Russian

Population

Population

3,347,782

Population in Major Urban Areas

ULAANBAATAR (capital) 1.184 million

Nationality Noun

Mongolian(s)

Ethnic Groups

Mongol (predominantly Khalkha) 85%, Turkic (of which Kazakh is the largest group) 7%, Tungusic 4.6%, other (including Chinese and Russian) 3.4%

Education

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Health Information

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Mongolia has improved significantly over recent decades, reflecting advances in healthcare access, nutrition, and public health infrastructure. As of the most recent available data, the average life expectancy at birth in Mongolia is approximately 73 years overall, with women living longer on average — around 76 to 77 years — compared to men, who average closer to 69 to 70 years. This gap between male and female life expectancy is notable and is influenced by several factors, including higher rates of alcohol consumption, occupational hazards, and preventable disease among men. Mongolia's life expectancy figures represent a marked improvement from the early 1990s, when the country's transition from a Soviet-style centrally planned economy to a market economy caused significant disruption to public health services and contributed to a temporary decline in life outcomes. Since stabilizing and modernizing its healthcare system, Mongolia has made steady gains. Several ongoing challenges continue to affect longevity in the country. Air pollution in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar is among the worst in the world during winter months, driven by coal burning for heating in low-income ger districts. This contributes to high rates of respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease, and related conditions that can shorten lifespans, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and young children. Liver disease, often linked to alcohol use, and road traffic accidents are also significant contributors to premature mortality among Mongolian men. Access to healthcare varies considerably between urban and rural areas. Residents of Ulaanbaatar benefit from more developed medical facilities, while nomadic and semi-nomadic populations in remote provinces — known as aimags — may face longer travel distances and limited access to specialist care. Despite these hurdles, Mongolia continues to invest in public health programs, maternal and child healthcare, and disease prevention, which are expected to support further gains in life expectancy in the coming years.

Infant Mortality Rate

Mongolia has made significant progress in reducing its infant mortality rate over the past several decades, though the country continues to face challenges rooted in geography, climate, and uneven access to healthcare services. As of the most recent available data, Mongolia's infant mortality rate stands at approximately 14 to 16 deaths per 1,000 live births. This represents a dramatic improvement from the early 1990s, when the rate exceeded 60 deaths per 1,000 live births following the collapse of the Soviet-era healthcare system and the economic disruptions of the transition to a market economy. Several factors contribute to the remaining infant mortality burden. Mongolia's extreme continental climate, with harsh winters regularly reaching minus 30 to minus 40 degrees Celsius, poses serious risks to newborns and young infants, particularly among nomadic herding families living in remote rural areas. Access to trained medical personnel, functioning health facilities, and emergency obstetric care remains limited outside of Ulaanbaatar and major provincial centers. Respiratory infections, pneumonia, and neonatal complications — including birth asphyxia and infections — are among the leading causes of infant deaths. Air pollution in Ulaanbaatar, which during winter months ranks among the worst in the world due to coal and biomass burning for heating, has been identified as a contributing factor to respiratory illness and adverse birth outcomes in the capital. Urban-rural disparities are notable. Infants born in rural aimags (provinces) face considerably higher mortality risks than those born in the capital, largely due to the distance from hospitals and the difficulty of transportation across Mongolia's vast, sparsely populated terrain. The Mongolian government, in partnership with UNICEF, the World Health Organization, and other international health organizations, has implemented programs aimed at improving neonatal care, expanding skilled birth attendance, and strengthening community-level health services. Increased rates of facility-based delivery and immunization coverage have been key drivers of the overall mortality decline observed over the past three decades.

Life Expectancy

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Mongolia has improved significantly over recent decades, reflecting advances in healthcare access, nutrition, and public health infrastructure. As of the most recent available data, the average life expectancy at birth in Mongolia is approximately 73 years overall, with women living longer on average — around 76 to 77 years — compared to men, who average closer to 69 to 70 years. This gap between male and female life expectancy is notable and is influenced by several factors, including higher rates of alcohol consumption, occupational hazards, and preventable disease among men. Mongolia's life expectancy figures represent a marked improvement from the early 1990s, when the country's transition from a Soviet-style centrally planned economy to a market economy caused significant disruption to public health services and contributed to a temporary decline in life outcomes. Since stabilizing and modernizing its healthcare system, Mongolia has made steady gains. Several ongoing challenges continue to affect longevity in the country. Air pollution in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar is among the worst in the world during winter months, driven by coal burning for heating in low-income ger districts. This contributes to high rates of respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease, and related conditions that can shorten lifespans, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and young children. Liver disease, often linked to alcohol use, and road traffic accidents are also significant contributors to premature mortality among Mongolian men. Access to healthcare varies considerably between urban and rural areas. Residents of Ulaanbaatar benefit from more developed medical facilities, while nomadic and semi-nomadic populations in remote provinces — known as aimags — may face longer travel distances and limited access to specialist care. Despite these hurdles, Mongolia continues to invest in public health programs, maternal and child healthcare, and disease prevention, which are expected to support further gains in life expectancy in the coming years.

Infant Mortality Rate

Mongolia has made significant progress in reducing its infant mortality rate over the past several decades, though the country continues to face challenges rooted in geography, climate, and uneven access to healthcare services. As of the most recent available data, Mongolia's infant mortality rate stands at approximately 14 to 16 deaths per 1,000 live births. This represents a dramatic improvement from the early 1990s, when the rate exceeded 60 deaths per 1,000 live births following the collapse of the Soviet-era healthcare system and the economic disruptions of the transition to a market economy. Several factors contribute to the remaining infant mortality burden. Mongolia's extreme continental climate, with harsh winters regularly reaching minus 30 to minus 40 degrees Celsius, poses serious risks to newborns and young infants, particularly among nomadic herding families living in remote rural areas. Access to trained medical personnel, functioning health facilities, and emergency obstetric care remains limited outside of Ulaanbaatar and major provincial centers. Respiratory infections, pneumonia, and neonatal complications — including birth asphyxia and infections — are among the leading causes of infant deaths. Air pollution in Ulaanbaatar, which during winter months ranks among the worst in the world due to coal and biomass burning for heating, has been identified as a contributing factor to respiratory illness and adverse birth outcomes in the capital. Urban-rural disparities are notable. Infants born in rural aimags (provinces) face considerably higher mortality risks than those born in the capital, largely due to the distance from hospitals and the difficulty of transportation across Mongolia's vast, sparsely populated terrain. The Mongolian government, in partnership with UNICEF, the World Health Organization, and other international health organizations, has implemented programs aimed at improving neonatal care, expanding skilled birth attendance, and strengthening community-level health services. Increased rates of facility-based delivery and immunization coverage have been key drivers of the overall mortality decline observed over the past three decades.

Country Identity

Country Name

Mongolia

Local - Short

Mongol Uls

Former Name

Outer Mongolia

Government Structure

Government Type

parliamentary

Legal System

blend of Soviet, German, and US systems of law that combines aspects of a parliamentary system with some aspects of a presidential system; constitution ambiguous on judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Executive Branch

chief of state: President Khurelsukh UKHNAA (since 25 June 2021) head of government: Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene LUVSANNAMSRAI (since 27 January 2021); Deputy Prime Minister Amarsaikhan SAINBUYAN (since 2021) cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the Prime Minister in consultation with the President and confirmed by the State Great Hural (parliament) elections: presidential candidates nominated by political parties represented in the State Great Hural and elected by popular vote for a four-year term; presidential tenure limited to one six-year term (amended from two four-year terms); election last held on 9 June 2021 (next to be held in 2025); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is usually elected Prime Minister by the State Great Hural election results: Khurelsukh UKHNAA elected president; percent of vote - Khurelsukh UKHNAA (Mongolian People's Party) 67.7%, Dangaasuren ENKHBAT (Right Person Electorate Coalition) 20.3%, Sodnomzundui ERDENE (Democratic Party) 6.0%; Oyun-Erdene LUVSANNAMSRAI elected Prime Minister by the State Great Hural

Legislative Branch

Unicameral State Great Hural (parliament) with 126 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms. Elections: Last held on June 28, 2024 (next to be held in 2028). Election results: Percent of vote by party — Mongolian People's Party (MPP) approximately 35.0%, Democratic Party (DP) approximately 16.7%, HUN Party approximately 10.7%, National Labor Party approximately 8.2%, others and independents receiving the remainder; seats by party — MPP 68, DP 42, HUN Party 8, National Labor Party 4, others 4. The 2024 election marked a significant expansion of the legislature from 76 to 126 seats, a constitutional change intended to broaden democratic representation. The MPP retained its position as the dominant political force, though the enlarged parliament introduced greater pluralism across party groupings.

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court (serves as appeals court for people's and provincial courts but rarely overturns verdicts of lower courts; judges are nominated by the General Council of Courts and approved by the president)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Constitution

12-Feb-92

Independence

11 July 1921 (from China)

National Holiday

Independence Day/Revolution Day, 11 July (1921)

Capital City

Capital Name

Ulaanbaatar

Capital - geographic coordinate

47 55 N, 106 55 E

Capital Time Difference

UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) time zone note: Mongolia has two time zones - Ulaanbaatar Time (8 hours in advance of UTC) and Hovd Time (7 hours in advance of UTC)

Military

Branches: Mongolian Armed Forces (Mongol ulsyn zevsegt huchin): Mongolian Army (includes Mongolian Air and Air Defense, which is to become a separate service in 2015); there is no navy

Embassy / Diplomatic Mission

Snapshot

Currency Name and Code

Mongolia Tughrik (MNT)

GDP — official exchange rate

$1,400,000,000 (USD)

GDP Real Growth Rate

5.3%

Gini Index

44