Country explorer: Turkmenistan
EXPERIMENTAL
2024
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Overview
Turkmenistan is a arid, upper-middle-income country in Central Asia with a small population. Its economy has grown very rapidly in recent decades, and is based on natural gas, cotton and textiles.
Turkmenistan produces large amounts of natural gas, making it a key player in the energy market.
Economy
Turkmenistan has experienced significant economic transformations, reflected in a steady increase in GDP per capita and a decrease in unemployment rates, indicating an economic trajectory that partly mirrors the broader trends of upper-middle-income countries, yet underscored by its unique context and resources.
Demographics
Turkmenistan has experienced consistent population growth, maintained a relatively high fertility rate compared to many of its peers, faced challenges in net migration, and seen gradual improvements in life expectancy, indicating advancements in health and stability but also highlighting the ongoing complexities of migration and demographic trends.
Basic needs
Turkmenistan has consistently outperformed its regional peers with nearly universal access to clean cooking fuels and electricity, and significant improvements in access to safely managed drinking water, indicating substantial progress in meeting basic needs compared to its neighbors.
Human development
Turkmenistan has experienced considerable progress in human development, characterized by improvements in health as reflected by a decreasing child mortality rate, advancements in education with a high literacy rate, and steadily increasing HDI, positioning it notably among the upper-middle-income countries with a strong emphasis on enhancing the quality of life and educational outcomes.
Environment & energy
Turkmenistan has shown mixed trends in environmental and energy sectors with a significant increase in per capita CO₂ emissions and renewable freshwater resources under high stress, juxtaposed with a stable expansion of forest area, in contrast to many peers facing deforestation; reflecting its unique challenges and successes amidst global environmental concerns.
Technology & innovation
Turkmenistan has made modest strides in internet usage and mobile phone subscriptions, reflecting a slow yet gradual engagement with digital technology, albeit lagging behind its regional peers and upper-middle-income countries in technological adoption and innovation.
Culture & society
Turkmenistan has experienced minimal variation in the birthplace of its population, seen steady, yet unreported improvements in life satisfaction, made gradual progress in reducing gender inequality, and observed an increasing age dependency ratio, indicating societal changes that, while sharing commonalities with regional trends, underscore its unique pace and scope of development compared to its Central Asian peers.
Governance
Turkmenistan has experienced systemic governance challenges, reflected in consistently low rankings for rule of law, high perceptions of corruption, restricted political and civil liberties, and limited press freedom, distinguishing it as one of the most tightly controlled societies compared to its regional peers and other upper-middle-income countries.