#90 in world Asia UN member

Tajikistan

Dushanbe Asia Central Asia

Tajikistan is a landlocked, mountainous nation in Central Asia that achieved independence in September 1991. Current estimates show a population of approximately 11 million people and a projected GDP per capita of $1,576.

Where is Tajikistan?

Tajikistan

Continent
Asia
Country
Tajikistan
Coordinates
39.00°, 71.00°

Population Details

Population
11M
Area
143,100 km²
Density per km²
77 / km²
Growth rate
+1.92%
Annual growth
+210.9K people
Daily growth
+577.87 people
World population share
0.14%

Population Trend

Historical series from 1960 to 2026

Start 2.1M Latest 11M

Population & Social Snapshot

Age structure, urbanization, and benchmark indicators for Tajikistan

Age Distribution

0-14 years 4M
15-64 years 6.6M
65+ years 423.7K

Urbanization

26.2% Urban
2.9M
Urban 2.9M
Rural 8.1M

Health & Education Benchmarks

Life Expectancy at Birth -3%
71.9 years
World avg: 74.0 years
Fertility Rate +29%
3.04 births per woman
World avg: 2.35 births per woman
Infant Mortality Rate +26%
23.5 per 1,000 live births
World avg: 18.6 per 1,000 live births
Literacy Rate (Adults) +15%
99.7 % of adults
World avg: 86.5 % of adults
Internet Users -23%
55.8 % of population
World avg: 72.5 % of population

Demographics

Quick Facts

Capital
Dushanbe
Region
Asia
Area
143,100 km²
Languages
Russian, Tajik
Currency
Tajikistani somoni (ЅМ)
Timezones
UTC+05:00
UN Member
Yes

Economy

The Tajik economy is currently experiencing rapid expansion, with recent data showing an annual GDP growth rate of 8.4%. Despite this growth, the latest GDP per capita of $1,341 ranks the country 182nd globally and 5th within the Central Asia subregion. The unemployment rate is 6.9%, which ranks 62nd lowest globally. Economic activity is traditionally driven by aluminum production, cotton exports, and the development of significant hydropower resources, alongside a high reliance on remittances from citizens working abroad.

Society

Tajikistan maintains a nearly universal adult literacy rate of 99.7%, placing it 15th in the world. Health indicators show a life expectancy at birth of approximately 71.9 years, which ranks 136th globally. Digital connectivity is steadily increasing, with 55.8% of the population currently using the internet, though the nation still ranks 159th for internet penetration. The population remains largely rural, with only 26.2% of residents living in urban centers like the capital, Dushanbe.

Climate & Environment

The country is dominated by a continental climate characterized by sharp seasonal temperature variations and extreme elevation differences. In the low-lying valleys, summer temperatures often exceed 40 °C (104 °F), while the high-altitude Pamir Mountains experience harsh winters where temperatures can drop below -20 °C (-4 °F) and heavy snow is common.

Government & Politics

Government Type
presidential republic
Independence
1991-09-09 (Soviet Union)

Tajikistan is a presidential republic where the executive branch holds substantial authority. The President serves as both the head of state and the head of government, exercising significant influence over the judicial and legislative processes. The national legislature, known as the Majlisi Oli, is a bicameral parliament consisting of the Majlisi Milli and the Majlisi Namoyandagon. Members of the lower house are elected by popular vote, while the upper house includes representatives chosen by regional deputies and presidential appointees. The country is divided into several administrative regions, including the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, which maintains a unique status due to its distinct geography. Since independence, the political landscape has been characterized by efforts to maintain stability and centralized control following internal conflicts. The government focuses on national unity and the secular nature of the state, as reflected in latest available data showing that while 98 percent of the population is Muslim, the legal system remains secular. Official languages include Tajik and Russian, the latter of which serves as a language of interethnic communication.

History

The history of Tajikistan is rooted in ancient Eastern Iranian civilizations, notably the Samanid Empire, which is regarded as the golden age of Tajik culture and language. For centuries, the region was a vital crossroads on the Silk Road, influenced by various empires before coming under Russian imperial control in the late 19th century. Following the Russian Revolution, the Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic was established in 1929 within the Soviet Union. Tajikistan gained full independence on 9 September 1991 during the dissolution of the USSR. Shortly after independence, the nation descended into a devastating civil war that lasted from 1992 to 1997, causing massive displacement and economic disruption. A United Nations-sponsored peace agreement signed in June 1997 ended the conflict and established a power-sharing arrangement. In the decades following the war, the country has focused on national reconstruction, large-scale hydroelectric projects like the Rogun Dam, and developing transport corridors to overcome its landlocked geography. Modern development is shaped by its transition from a planned economy to a market-oriented one, though the legacy of the Soviet era remains visible in its infrastructure and administrative systems. The nation continues to navigate regional security challenges while promoting its distinct Persian-speaking heritage in Central Asia.

Notable Facts

  • Approximately 93 percent of the country is covered by mountains, with the Pamir range, often called the Roof of the World, dominating the eastern landscape.
  • The nation is home to the Fedchenko Glacier, which extends 77 km (48 mi) and is the longest glacier in the world outside of the polar regions.
  • Tajikistan's highest point, Ismoil Somoni Peak, reaches an elevation of 7,495 m (24,590 ft) and was once the highest peak in the former Soviet Union.
  • The ancient Proto-urban site of Sarazm, which dates back to the 4th millennium BCE, is a UNESCO World Heritage site evidencing early human settlement and trade in Central Asia.
  • Dushanbe, the capital, features one of the world's tallest freestanding flagpoles, which stands at a height of 165 m (541 ft).

Geography

Highest Point
Ismoil Somoni Peak (7,495 m)
Lowest Point
Syr Darya (300 m)
Coastline
0 km

Explore weather and climate data for cities in Tajikistan

Monthly averages for Dushanbe

January
Poor
Temp
9°C / -1°C
Feels Like
7°C / -4°C
Rain
11days (69 mm) Wet
Sun
7.1h Good
Humidity
70% Muggy
Snow Days
10days
February
Poor
Temp
12°C / 2°C
Feels Like
10°C / -1°C
Rain
13days (95 mm) Wet
Sun
7.5h Good
Humidity
68% Muggy
Snow Days
11days
March
Fair
Temp
17°C / 7°C
Feels Like
16°C / 4°C
Rain
17days (151 mm) Wet
Sun
8.4h Good
Humidity
69% Muggy
Snow Days
5days
April
Good
Temp
23°C / 11°C
Feels Like
24°C / 10°C
Rain
12days (106 mm) Wet
Sun
10.8h Excellent
Humidity
62% Muggy
Snow Days
1days
May best
Excellent
Temp
28°C / 16°C
Feels Like
30°C / 15°C
Rain
11days (88 mm) Wet
Sun
12.2h Excellent
Humidity
60% Moderate
June
Good
Temp
33°C / 18°C
Feels Like
35°C / 18°C
Rain
3days (13 mm) Excellent
Sun
13.7h Excellent
Humidity
48% Moderate
July
Fair
Temp
36°C / 22°C
Feels Like
38°C / 22°C
Rain
1days (2 mm) Excellent
Sun
13.5h Excellent
Humidity
41% Moderate
August best
Excellent
Temp
34°C / 20°C
Feels Like
36°C / 19°C
Rain
1days (4 mm) Excellent
Sun
12.9h Excellent
Humidity
39% Comfortable
September best
Excellent
Temp
31°C / 16°C
Feels Like
31°C / 15°C
Rain
1days (3 mm) Excellent
Sun
11.8h Excellent
Humidity
39% Comfortable
October best
Excellent
Temp
23°C / 11°C
Feels Like
22°C / 8°C
Rain
5days (34 mm) Good
Sun
9.7h Good
Humidity
51% Moderate
November
Fair
Temp
17°C / 5°C
Feels Like
15°C / 2°C
Rain
7days (60 mm) Good
Sun
8.2h Good
Humidity
61% Muggy
Snow Days
4days
December
Fair
Temp
11°C / 2°C
Feels Like
9°C / -2°C
Rain
9days (54 mm) Wet
Sun
7h Good
Humidity
70% Muggy
Snow Days
8days
Month Temp Feels Like Rain Sun Humidity Status Details
January 9°C / -1°C 7°C / -4°C 11days (69 mm) Wet 7.1h Good 70% Muggy Poor View Details
February 12°C / 2°C 10°C / -1°C 13days (95 mm) Wet 7.5h Good 68% Muggy Poor View Details
March 17°C / 7°C 16°C / 4°C 17days (151 mm) Wet 8.4h Good 69% Muggy Fair View Details
April 23°C / 11°C 24°C / 10°C 12days (106 mm) Wet 10.8h Excellent 62% Muggy Good View Details
May best 28°C / 16°C 30°C / 15°C 11days (88 mm) Wet 12.2h Excellent 60% Moderate Excellent View Details
June 33°C / 18°C 35°C / 18°C 3days (13 mm) Excellent 13.7h Excellent 48% Moderate Good View Details
July 36°C / 22°C 38°C / 22°C 1days (2 mm) Excellent 13.5h Excellent 41% Moderate Fair View Details
August best 34°C / 20°C 36°C / 19°C 1days (4 mm) Excellent 12.9h Excellent 39% Comfortable Excellent View Details
September best 31°C / 16°C 31°C / 15°C 1days (3 mm) Excellent 11.8h Excellent 39% Comfortable Excellent View Details
October best 23°C / 11°C 22°C / 8°C 5days (34 mm) Good 9.7h Good 51% Moderate Excellent View Details
November 17°C / 5°C 15°C / 2°C 7days (60 mm) Good 8.2h Good 61% Muggy Fair View Details
December 11°C / 2°C 9°C / -2°C 9days (54 mm) Wet 7h Good 70% Muggy Fair View Details

Temperature

42°C 36°C 30°C 24°C 18°C 12°C 6°C 0°C -6°C -12°C JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
HighLow

Line chart showing monthly temperatures. Jan: 9°C / -1°C . Feb: 12°C / 2°C . Mar: 17°C / 7°C . Apr: 23°C / 11°C . May: 28°C / 16°C . Jun: 33°C / 18°C . Jul: 36°C / 22°C . Aug: 34°C / 20°C . Sep: 31°C / 16°C . Oct: 23°C / 11°C . Nov: 17°C / 5°C . Dec: 11°C / 2°C .

Rainfall

0 mm 27 mm 54 mm 81 mm 108 mm 135 mm JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Rainfall

Bar chart showing monthly rainfall. Jan: 69 mm. Feb: 95 mm. Mar: 151 mm. Apr: 106 mm. May: 88 mm. Jun: 13 mm. Jul: 2 mm. Aug: 4 mm. Sep: 3 mm. Oct: 34 mm. Nov: 60 mm. Dec: 54 mm.

Frequently Asked Questions

The population of Tajikistan is approximately 11M (2024).

The capital of Tajikistan is Dushanbe.

Tajikistan's GDP per capita is $1.6K (2024).

Life expectancy in Tajikistan is 71.93 years (2024).

Tajikistan covers 143,100 km² (55,251 sq mi).

Tajikistan has a moderate population density of 77 people per km², close to the global average of 60.

Tajikistan's population is growing rapidly at 1.9% per year — among the fastest in the world.

Based on GDP per capita, Tajikistan falls in the lower-middle GDP-per-person tier at $1.6K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.

Tajikistan reports a very low intentional homicide rate of 0.9 per 100,000 people — among the safest in the world by this measure.

Tajikistan has 2 official languages: Russian, Tajik.

Tajikistan uses the Tajikistani somoni (ЅМ) as its sole official currency.

The best months to visit Tajikistan are May, August, September, October, based on climate data for the capital.

Tajikistan has an estimated population of approximately 11 million people. According to the latest available data, the nation ranks as the 90th most populous country in the world and 3rd in the Central Asia subregion. The population is currently growing at an annual rate of approximately 1.9%.

Current estimates project a GDP per capita of $1,576 for Tajikistan. The latest official figures place the nation 182nd globally for GDP per capita and 44th within the Asian region. While it ranks as the 146th largest economy by total nominal GDP, it has recently achieved a high annual growth rate of 8.4%.

The adult literacy rate in Tajikistan is 99.7%, which is one of the highest in the world. This performance ranks the country 15th globally. This high level of education is a legacy of the nation's historical development and its continued focus on providing accessible primary and secondary schooling to its citizens.

The latest data shows that life expectancy at birth in Tajikistan is approximately 71.9 years. This health metric ranks the nation 136th globally. The country has seen gradual improvements in public health and medical access since its independence, though it remains in the lower tier of global life expectancy rankings.

Approximately 55.8% of the Tajik population are internet users. This level of digital access ranks the country 159th in the world. Connectivity is more prevalent in urban areas, though the urban population itself only accounts for 26.2% of the total residents, leaving significant room for infrastructure expansion in rural regions.

The latest unemployment rate in Tajikistan is 6.9%. When compared globally, the country ranks 62nd for having the lowest unemployment rate. Many workers find employment in the agricultural sector, specifically in cotton farming, or in industrial sectors such as aluminum smelting and hydroelectric power generation.

Tajikistan currently holds the global rank of 90th out of 215 countries and territories. Regionally, it is the 28th most populous country in Asia and the 3rd largest in Central Asia. This ranking places it behind regional neighbors Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan but ahead of Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan.

The estimated 2026 population density of Tajikistan is approximately 79.2 people per km² (205.1 per sq mi). This density is relatively low compared to the global average, ranking 130th worldwide. Much of the population is concentrated in fertile valleys, as 93 percent of the country is covered by mountains.

The current fertility rate in Tajikistan is approximately 3.0 children per woman. This rate is the 56th highest globally and contributes significantly to the country's youthful demographic profile. High fertility rates have remained a consistent trend in Tajikistan, supported by cultural values and a predominantly rural population structure.

All Indicators

Explore Tajikistan's data across 50+ indicators

Last updated: