In 1995, a population census was conducted in Turkmenistan , as a result of which 4483.3 thousand people lived in the country. The census data showed that out of the total number of inhabitants, 2225.3 thousand were the male population of the republic, and 2258 thousand were female. More information about this amazing country is given below.
Turkmenistan population and population density
By the end of the last decade of the 20th century, the population of Turkmenistan increased to 5 million people. Moreover, the concentration of residents across the republic varies significantly. The average population density of Turkmenistan was 10.2 people per square kilometer.
Most of the citizens of the republic are concentrated in oases. In these regions, the population density reaches two hundred people per one square kilometer. At the same time, 80% of the territory of Turkmenistan is not populated at all. In particular, the Karakum desert. Oases on the territory of Turkmenistan have a narrow and elongated shape and are located along the course of rivers and canals. Therefore, the resettlement of residents takes on exactly the same form on the map with expansion in the lower reaches of the Murghab and Hedgej rivers.
Trends in increasing the population of Turkmenistan
Assessing the dynamics of population growth in this country, you should pay attention to a few interesting details. So, even from Soviet times in the period from 1960 to 1990. there was a permanent increase in the number of inhabitants of the republic. Over this period, the population of Turkmenistan grew 1.7 times, and the annual growth ranged from 130 to 150 thousand people, which was approximately 2.9% of the total number of residents. What about now? Turkmenistan is the leader among all CIS countries in terms of population growth, which is 3.5% per year. The most impressive indicators are demonstrated by the rural part of the republic.
Natural population growth
At the same time, it should be emphasized that over the past ten years, the rate of natural growth of the population of Turkmenistan has significantly decreased. This trend is characteristic not only for this country, but also for all CIS countries. An example is a few indicative figures. So, in 1991, the rate of natural increase was 26.3%, which was the third indicator among the countries of the former USSR after Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
And already in 1999, this value dropped to 13.1%. Thus, Turkmenistan also allowed forward Kyrgyzstan. The main reason for the decrease in natural growth was a decrease in the number of newborns per 1,000 inhabitants. In 1991, this indicator was 33.6%, and in 1999 - 18.5%. Mortality in Turkmenistan in recent years has been between 5.4% and 6.5%. It should be emphasized that this state of affairs causes a constant increase in the share of youth among the entire population of Turkmenistan.
The current demographic situation in the country
The average Turkmen family has from three to five children. This is not the limit. In rural areas, you can often meet families with even more children. During the existence of the USSR, fertility was stimulated in a variety of ways. Nevertheless, today the rapid growth in the number of inhabitants of the country poses a number of typical tasks for the state leadership, the main of which is the fight against unemployment and its consequences. At the same time, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Information of Turkmenistan, this problem is not urgent at the moment. High population growth in the country will affect employment. This is seen in the medium term.
Employment in Turkmenistan
In the context of the foregoing, it will be appropriate to provide statistics. To date, the employment rate of the population of Turkmenistan is 1.6 - 1.9 million people. In recent years, he has a tendency to constant fluctuations. The first place in employment is occupied by the primary sector of the economy. Thus, about 48% of all working residents work in agriculture and forestry. In the service sector, 34% of the population of Turkmenistan is employed, in industry - 12%.
It will not be superfluous to report that Turkmenistan is one of the three CIS countries by the number of citizens employed in construction. In this ranking above are only the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus.
It should be noted that in Turkmenistan small and medium-sized businesses are not well developed, even by the standards of Central Asian states. This region is characterized by the high role of its own subsidiary plots. However, in Turkmenistan, more than 39% of employed residents work in state enterprises. It should also be noted a large percentage of employees. There are about 80% of them.
Turkmenistan is one of the ten largest natural gas producers in the world. Despite this, the per capita GDP in Turkmenistan is only about 6,622 US dollars. This is the IMF data for 2016.
The ethnic composition of the inhabitants of Turkmenistan
Turkmens of Turkmenistan make up about half of all representatives of this people living all over the world. They can be found in other countries. For example, there is a large Turkmen diaspora in Iran - 1 million people. More than 500 thousand representatives of this nationality live in Afghanistan, another 300 thousand people found their home in Iraq. According to the 1995 census, Turkmen make up 76.7% of the total population of Turkmenistan.
Now let's talk about other nationalities living in the territory of this country. Among large ethnic groups, it is necessary to distinguish Uzbeks - 9.2% of the total number of residents, Russians - 6.7%, Kazakhs - 2.2% and Armenians - 0.8%.
In recent years, there has been a tendency in Turkmenistan to outflow from the country of Russian-speaking residents. A similar phenomenon is observed in other states of the region. Russian-speaking people traditionally prevail among citizens employed in industrial production, including in the gas sector. This forces the government of Turkmenistan to pursue a policy aimed at creating good conditions for the life and work of such residents of the country.
It should be emphasized that household nationalism is not widespread in this state. For all the years after the collapse of the USSR, no conflict was recorded in Turkmenistan based on interethnic or interfaith hostility.