Turkmenistan profile

Demography and Health

Turkmenistan’s population was about 7.49 million in 2024, placing it in the mid-range among both regional and global peers. The country exhibits a relatively high birth rate of 21.7 per 1,000 people (2023) alongside a crude death rate of 5.78 per 1,000 (2023), pointing to a natural increase that supports a youthful demographic profile. Net migration in 2024 shows a positive inflow of 14,646 people, suggesting that migration remains a notable factor in population dynamics even as the overall population size grows slowly. Life expectancy at birth stands at 70.1 years (2023), and under-5 mortality is 40 deaths per 1,000 live births (2023), indicating persistent health challenges for children despite general access to care. Health system capacity appears moderateto-strong on a per-capita basis—hospital beds at 4.03 per 1,000 people (2021) and physicians at 2.14 per 1,000 (2021) signal relatively broad in-country access to inpatient care and medical professionals, though this does not automatically translate into optimal health outcomes. Nutritional indicators show 4.1% of the population undernourished (2022), suggesting that food security is not widespread but not uniformly assured. Government health expenditure is 5.37% of GDP (2022), with domestic general government health expenditure per capita, PPP, of 130 international dollars (2022). Taken together, these figures paint a picture of a youthful, growing population that benefits from a health system with adequate capacity but constrained by modest investment and ongoing room for improvement in maternal and child health outcomes and broader health determinants. The demographic structure—characterized by a young population alongside migration dynamics and health financing constraints—will continue to influence demand for health services, social protection, and education in the years ahead.

Economy

Turkmenistan’s GDP per capita is about $8,572 in 2024 (current US$), with a GDP per capita at PPP of roughly $20,408, placing the country in the middle tier of income by nominal measures and higher when adjusted by purchasing power. This indicates substantial domestic price levels relative to some peers, but also highlights the limits of material living standards when viewed purely through a per-capita lens. The economy shows a recognizable but modest level of openness: exports of goods and services are 21.6% of GDP (2023), and imports account for 12.5% of GDP, suggesting a trade regime that is present but not highly integrated into global markets. The combination of a resource-intensive economy and limited diversification is consistent with the broader profile of Turkmenistan, where energy revenues have historically underpinned growth while manufacturing and services remain relatively underdeveloped. There is some external capital inflow as foreign direct investment, net inflows, equal to 2.27% of GDP (2023), signaling cautious investor engagement, likely concentrated in the energy sector or related infrastructure. Research and development expenditure sits at 0.14% of GDP (2022), indicating limited investment in innovation and knowledge-based growth. Environmental indicators align with a fossil-fuel–driven growth model: total greenhouse gas emissions per capita are 13.4 tCO2e (2023), and renewable energy consumption is a tiny 0.1% of total final energy consumption (2021). These data collectively suggest an economy with abundant hydrocarbon resources and potential vulnerability to energy price swings, while facing challenges in diversification, productivity, and sustainable development. The macro picture underscores the need for reforms that encourage higher-value sectors, efficiency gains, and prudent management of energy wealth to stabilize growth and social spending beyond just extraction revenues.

Trade and Investment

In 2023 Turkmenistan recorded exports of goods and services at 21.6% of GDP and imports at 12.5% of GDP, signaling a trade profile that is present but not highly expansive. This pattern often accompanies an economy with a heavy reliance on a narrow export base, particularly energy, and a policy environment that balances state involvement with controlled openness. Foreign direct investment net inflows amount to 2.27% of GDP (2023), indicating a measurable but modest level of external capital entering the economy, with room to grow if governance, rule of law, and transparency improve. The limited 0.14% of GDP allocation to research and development (2022) further points to a lack of depth in innovation-driven sectors that could expand export capacity beyond hydrocarbons. Taken together, the trade and investment data suggest opportunities to broaden the export mix and attract more diversified investment, but such gains would likely require regulatory improvements, stronger property rights, and a more predictable business climate to unlock larger private-sector participation and technology transfer.

Governance and Institutions

Governance indicators portray a challenging institutional environment: Political stability and absence of violence/terrorism is −0.111 (2023) with a rank of 108; Regulatory quality is −2.07 (2023) rank 198; Rule of Law is −1.49 (2023) rank 188; Control of Corruption is −1.42 (2023) rank 184; Government effectiveness is −1.21 (2023) rank 177. Across these indicators, Turkmenistan shows weak governance perceptions relative to many countries, with limited perceived effectiveness of government institutions, weaker regulatory quality, and notable corruption concerns. While these metrics are imperfect and reflect perceptions, they consistently point to risks for investors, public service delivery, and policy implementation. Such governance constraints can hinder diversification efforts, hinder efficient public spending, and dampen trust in state-led development strategies. Any meaningful reforms to improve the business climate, rule of law, transparency, and anti-corruption measures could help attract investment, accelerate reform, and enhance social outcomes, though such changes would require political will, institutional capacity, and time to translate into measurable improvements.

Infrastructure and Technology

Infrastructure and technology indicators reveal both capacity and constraints. Health infrastructure shows 4.03 hospital beds per 1,000 people (2021) and 2.14 physicians per 1,000 (2021), indicating a reasonably accessible medical workforce, albeit with potential gaps in capacity and distribution. The country’s transition toward low-carbon infrastructure is limited, with renewable energy consumption at 0.1% of total final energy consumption (2021). This underscores heavy reliance on fossil fuels and limited deployment of renewables. The level of water stress is indexed at 135.0 (2021)—a sign of elevated freshwater withdrawal relative to available resources, which poses risks for agriculture, industry, and urban use. R&D expenditure stands at 0.14% of GDP (2022), signaling limited investment in knowledge-based sectors and innovation ecosystems. Foreign direct investment inflows of 2.27% of GDP (2023) suggest some external interest, potentially in infrastructure or energy-related projects, but a broader technology transfer and diversification agenda would require improvements in governance, regulatory frameworks, and investment climate. Overall, infrastructure and technology growth will likely hinge on policy diversification, water-resource management, and targeted investments that emphasize productivity, regional connectivity, and resilience to climate and price volatility.

Environment and Sustainability

Turkmenistan’s environmental indicators reflect a high-carbon, resource-driven developmental path. Total greenhouse gas emissions per capita, excluding LULUCF, are 13.4 tCO2e per person (2023), indicating substantial emissions relative to many countries and highlighting the environmental cost of a hydrocarbon-based economy. Renewable energy makes up only 0.1% of total final energy consumption (2021), pointing to limited decarbonization and significant opportunities for diversification into wind, solar, or other low-carbon sources. The prevalence of undernourishment is 4.1% (2022), suggesting that chronic hunger is not widespread but mindfulness toward vulnerable groups remains warranted. Water stress is evident, with a Level of water stress index of 135.0 (2021), signaling substantial pressure on freshwater resources and the need for improved water management, efficiency, and infrastructure. Together, these environmental indicators imply that sustainability challenges center on decarbonization, water resource management, and resilience to climate and resource shocks, presenting a landscape where policy choices around energy transition, water governance, and social protection will shape Turkmenistan’s long-term environmental and economic resilience.