People and Society of Tajikistan

Nationality

Tajikistani(s)

Ethnic Groups

Tajik 64.9%, Uzbek 25%, Russian 3.5% (declining because of emigration), other 6.6%

Population

10,143,543

Population in Major Urban Areas

DUSHANBE (capital) 739,000

The quality of Tajikistan’s medical infrastructure is significantly below Western standards, with severe shortages of basic medical supplies, including disposable needles, anesthetics, prescription drugs, and antibiotics. Many trained medical personnel left the country during or after the civil war. Elderly travelers and those with pre-existing health problems may be at particular risk due to inadequate medical facilities. Significant disease outbreaks are possible due to population shifts and a decline in some immunization coverage among the general population. There have been outbreaks of polio in the southwest areas of the country near the borders with Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, including the capital city Dushanbe; typhoid outbreaks in the Dushanbe area and in the south of the country; an outbreak of Congo Crimea hemorrhagic fever to the west of Dushanbe; and the risk of contracting malaria, cholera, and water-borne illnesses is high. Throughout Central Asia, infection rates of various forms of hepatitis and tuberculosis (including drug-resistant strains) are on the rise. Tuberculosis is an increasingly serious health concern in Tajikistan. It is advisable to drink only bottled or thoroughly boiled water while in Tajikistan. The government of Tajikistan requires all foreign citizens who remain in the country for more than 90 days to present a medical certificate from a medical facility or to submit to an HIV test in Tajikistan if they are already in Tajikistan without such a certificate (with the exception of persons applying for diplomatic, official, investor, and humanitarian types of visas).

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Tajikistan has improved steadily over recent decades, reflecting gradual advances in healthcare access, nutrition, and public health infrastructure. As of the most recent available data, the overall life expectancy at birth in Tajikistan stands at approximately 72 years, with women living longer on average — around 74 years — compared to men, who average roughly 69 to 70 years. This gender gap in longevity is consistent with patterns observed across Central Asia and much of the world. These figures represent a notable recovery from the early 1990s, when Tajikistan experienced a devastating civil war (1992–1997) that severely disrupted health services, caused widespread poverty, and contributed to a temporary decline in life expectancy. In the post-conflict period, the country has worked to rebuild its healthcare system with support from international organizations and foreign aid. Despite these improvements, Tajikistan's life expectancy remains below the global average and lags behind many of its regional neighbors. Several factors continue to challenge further progress. The country is one of the poorest in the post-Soviet space, with a large share of its population living in rural and mountainous areas where access to medical facilities and qualified healthcare workers is limited. High rates of labor migration — particularly among working-age men who travel to Russia and other countries for employment — also influence demographic and health statistics. Chronic non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease are among the leading causes of death in Tajikistan, alongside respiratory illnesses and tuberculosis, which continues to pose a public health challenge. Maternal and infant mortality rates, while improving, remain elevated compared to regional benchmarks, which affects overall life expectancy calculations at birth. The government has prioritized health sector reform and expanded primary care outreach in recent years, and international partners including the World Health Organization and UNICEF have supported vaccination programs, maternal health initiatives, and disease prevention campaigns. Efforts to strengthen the primary healthcare network and improve early diagnosis of chronic conditions have shown measurable results over the past decade. These combined efforts suggest that life expectancy in Tajikistan is likely to continue its gradual upward trend in coming years, provided economic development and healthcare investment remain consistent.

Infant Mortality Rate

Tajikistan has made measurable progress in reducing its infant mortality rate over recent decades, though the country continues to face challenges common to lower-middle-income nations in Central Asia. As of recent estimates, the infant mortality rate in Tajikistan stands at approximately 30 to 33 deaths per 1,000 live births, reflecting a significant improvement from rates exceeding 70 per 1,000 live births recorded in the early 1990s following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Infant mortality is defined as the number of deaths occurring within the first year of life per 1,000 live births. In Tajikistan, the leading causes of infant death include complications from premature birth, neonatal infections, pneumonia, and diarrheal diseases. Malnutrition and limited access to clean drinking water remain contributing factors, particularly in rural and mountainous regions where healthcare infrastructure is less developed. Geographic disparities play a notable role in outcomes. Infants born in remote areas such as the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region face considerably higher risks due to difficult terrain, limited access to skilled birth attendants, and fewer functioning medical facilities. Urban centers like the capital Dushanbe tend to have better-equipped hospitals and higher rates of antenatal care visits, which correlate with improved survival rates. UNICEF and the World Health Organization have partnered with the Tajik government on several maternal and child health initiatives aimed at expanding immunization coverage, improving nutrition programs, and training healthcare workers. Vaccination coverage for diseases such as measles and diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis has increased substantially over the past two decades, contributing to the overall decline in infant deaths. Despite these gains, Tajikistan's infant mortality rate remains higher than the global average and above the rates seen in neighboring Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Continued investment in rural healthcare access, maternal education, and sanitation infrastructure will be essential if the country is to meet internationally established child health benchmarks in the years ahead.

Major Infectious Diseases

high

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

• Sunni Muslim85.0%
• Other10.0%
• Shia Muslim5.0%

Tajik (official), Russian widely used in government and business

• Tajik
• Russian

Crime Information

The level of criminal activity in Dushanbe is moderate to high. Of significant concern is the inability of Tajikistan’s law enforcement entities to provide adequate and immediate assistance. Lack of manpower, low salaries, and inadequate training all contribute to a lack of professionalism among law enforcement entities. Tajikistan’s struggling economy and high unemployment have resulted in incidents of street crime, including pick-pocketing, muggings, and armed robberies. Alcohol-related incidents such as drunk driving are common. Criminals are not deterred by the risk of confrontation and tend to operate in groups of two or more to decrease their chances of arrest. When crimes do occur, they can be violent in nature. Additionally, the lack of a free media and infrequent government outreach through the media do not provide the average citizen with current and accurate information to make informed decisions about safety. Government statistics are typically inaccurate because many crimes are not reported to law enforcement organizations. Often police refuse to open minor or routine cases that seem too difficult to resolve. Crimes of opportunity can occur against anyone, and you are reminded to be careful and cautious in your own personal security, whether within the city limits of Dushanbe or in the more remote areas of the country. You should be aware that danger increases after dark, and to use caution when traveling alone or on foot after dark. The U.S. Embassy encourages visitors to travel in pairs and to notify colleagues of their whereabouts when not working, especially during evening hours. It is wise to refrain from wearing expensive jewelry or anything that may indicate that you have any amount of wealth. Travelers are also encouraged to carry a copy of their passport (separate from their wallets) to speed up issuance of a new passport in case of theft. 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 also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Tajikistan, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from 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 Tajikistan, your passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It's very important to know what's legal and what's not in the countries where you are going. Persons violating Tajik laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Tajikistan are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. The Government of Tajikistan may enforce strict customs regulations. Customs authorities may subject all items, including travel souvenirs, imported into or exported from Tajikistan to a high level of scrutiny. The export of antiques, precious stones and metals, and cultural valuables requires special permission. The number of items that can be exported may be limited. It is illegal to export or possess unprocessed stones and metals and jewelry without a hallmark (mark of authenticity). Even if travelers have a receipt confirming legal purchase of such items at a store in Tajikistan, the items must be declared upon departure. Failure to abide by Tajik customs laws and regulations may result in heavy fines, arrest, or imprisonment. There are also currency restrictions. You must fill out a Customs Declaration Form upon arrival in Tajikistan, have it stamped by Tajik customs officials at the port of entry and retain the form until your departure to demonstrate that you are not leaving Tajikistan with more money than you brought into the country. Please contact the Embassy of the Republic of Tajikistan in the United States for specific information about customs requirements. 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.