Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan is a country in south-central Asia, bordered by Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan, with the Caspian Sea to its west. Much of its territory is covered by the Qaraqum desert. The capital is Ashgabat, and the official language is Turkmen. The population was estimated at approximately 7.5 million in 2024, according to World Bank data.

The country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The economy is driven by the production and export of natural gas, while the political system is highly centralized under presidential rule, with civil society organizations operating within restricted parameters.

Permanent Neutrality

On 12 December 1995, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/50/80 concerning Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality, calling on member states to respect this status and the country's independence. This neutrality has become the foundation of foreign policy: avoidance of military alliances and non-interference in other countries' internal affairs. A constitutional law codified this status domestically.

Political System

In 2022, an advance presidential election was held. Serdar Berdimuhamedow, son of former president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, was announced as the winner with 72.97 percent of the vote and took office on 19 March 2022. The transfer of power within his family is viewed by analysts as indicative of a hereditary power system.

Gas and Economy

Turkmenistan is said to possess some of the world's largest proven natural gas reserves. The Galkynysh gas field, discovered in Mary Province in 2006, is among the world's largest. Exports dominate the country's economy—Coface estimated that gas and oil account for roughly 90 percent of exports and state revenue.

China is the largest market for Turkmen gas, supplied via pipelines through Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. A 2024 report by the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies showed that gas deliveries to China increased from 21.3 bcm in 2012 to over 32 bcm in recent years. Meanwhile, Ashgabat has long pursued the TAPI pipeline project (Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India), which remains incomplete.

Press Freedom

Domestic media are state-controlled. Reporters Without Borders ranked Turkmenistan at the bottom of its global press freedom index—173rd out of 180 countries in 2025, with the ranking declining. Human rights organizations including IPHR have reported that internet access is restricted and requires special permission to access foreign news.

Society and Culture

The majority of the population is Turkmen, with smaller numbers of Uzbeks and Russians. The predominant religion is Sunni Islam. Ashgabat is known for white marble architecture built according to planned urban designs in the period since independence. The country is also known for Turkmen carpet weaving and Akhal-Teke horses.