According to allcitypopulation, Tajikistan is a landlocked country located in Central Asia, bordered by Afghanistan to the south, Uzbekistan to the west, Kyrgyzstan to the north and China to the east. It has an area of 143,100 km2 and a population of 8.7 million people, making it the smallest country in Central Asia by both area and population. The terrain is mostly mountainous with over 90% of the country lying above 1000 meters above sea level; its highest point is Pik Garmo at 7495 meters. Tajikistan also has many rivers and lakes including Lake Karakul which is one of the largest saltwater lakes in Central Asia. According to Petwithsupplies, the capital city of Tajikistan is Dusjanbe with a population of 893,800 (with suburbs, UN estimate 2019). Other major cities include Chudzjand, Kulob, Bokhtar.
Tajikistan’s economy is largely dependent on agriculture and remittances from migrant workers abroad. Agriculture accounts for approximately 25% of GDP and employs over 50% of the labor force; cotton, wheat, fruits and vegetables are some of the main agricultural products produced. Remittances account for almost 30% of GDP with most coming from Russia where many Tajik workers migrate for work opportunities; this makes Tajikistan one of the most remittance-dependent countries in Europe and Central Asia. Industry accounts for almost 20% of GDP with mining being an important sector; gold, silver and uranium are some of the minerals mined in Tajikistan. Services account for almost 25% with tourism being one of its main components; there are several UNESCO World Heritage Sites located in Tajikistan including Ismaili Centers in Khorog and Kulob as well as Pamir National Park which attract visitors from around the world.
Foreign Trade of Tajikistan
Tajikistan’s foreign trade is mainly driven by imports of consumer goods, machinery, and fuel. In 2019, Tajikistan had a total import value of $5.6 billion and a total export value of $1.3 billion, making it a net importer with a trade deficit of $4.3 billion. The main imports include consumer goods such as clothing and food items (25%), machinery (21%), and fuel (15%). The main export items are aluminum and aluminum products (31%), cotton (20%), textiles (16%) and nonferrous metals (14%).
The majority of Tajikistan’s exports go to China (41%), Russia (21%) and Kazakhstan (13%). The main export partners for imports are Uzbekistan (35%), Russia (17%), China (14%) and Kazakhstan (13%). Tajikistan also has an active transit trade with Afghanistan as many goods pass through Tajik borders on their way to Central Asia or Europe.
Tajikistan is also part of the Eurasian Economic Union which is an economic union between Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan; this allows for free movement of goods, services and capital between the member countries. It is also part of the Central Asian Free Trade Area which allows for free movement of goods between Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Overall, despite its small size in terms of population and area compared to its neighbors in Central Asia; Tajikistan has an important role in regional foreign trade both as an exporter/importer but also as a transit country for goods passing through its borders on their way to other countries in the region or Europe.
Major Trading Partners of Tajikistan
Tajikistan’s major trading partners are located in Europe, Central Asia and East Asia. The majority of its imports come from Uzbekistan (35%), Russia (17%), China (14%) and Kazakhstan (13%) while the majority of its exports go to China (41%), Russia (21%) and Kazakhstan (13%). Tajikistan also has an active transit trade with Afghanistan which allows for goods to pass through its borders on their way to Central Asia or Europe.
In terms of trade with Europe, Tajikistan’s main export partners are the UK, Germany, Turkey and Italy while its main import partners are Germany, Italy and France. In terms of trade with Central Asia, Tajikistan is a member of the Eurasian Economic Union which is an economic union between Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan; this allows for free movement of goods, services and capital between the member countries. It is also part of the Central Asian Free Trade Area which allows for free movement of goods between Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
In terms of trade with East Asia; Tajikistan’s main export partner is China while its main import partners are China and South Korea. In 2019 alone; exports to China increased by 70% making it one of the most important trading partners for Tajikistan in terms of both imports and exports.
Overall; despite its small size compared to its neighbors in Central Asia; Tajikistan has an important role in regional foreign trade as both an exporter/importer but also as a transit country for goods passing through its borders on their way to other countries in the region or Europe.
Major Imports and Exports of Tajikistan
Tajikistan’s major imports include machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals and food products. The majority of these imports come from Uzbekistan (35%), Russia (17%), China (14%) and Kazakhstan (13%). In terms of machinery and equipment; Tajikistan imports a variety of goods ranging from industrial production machinery to office supplies; the majority of these come from Russia, China and Germany.
In terms of chemicals; Tajikistan mainly imports fertilizers which are used in the agricultural sector as well as other industrial chemicals such as paints, adhesives and plastics. The majority of these come from China, Germany and Russia. Metals are also imported by Tajikistan in the form of steel products which are mainly sourced from Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan.
Finally; food products are imported by Tajikistan in order to supplement domestic production or fill shortages due to drought or other factors. The majority of food products come from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Russia with wheat being the most important import followed by dairy products, fruits & vegetables, meat & poultry and fish & seafood.
Tajikistan’s major exports include aluminum, cotton textiles & apparel, fruits & vegetables as well as a variety of metals such as copper ore, lead ore/concentrate and zinc ore/concentrate. The majority of these exports go to China (41%), Russia (21%) and Kazakhstan (13%). Aluminum is one of the biggest export items for Tajikistan with most aluminum being exported to China while cotton textiles & apparel is mainly exported to neighboring countries such as Uzbekistan or Afghanistan. Fruits & vegetables mainly go to neighboring countries in Central Asia while various metals are exported mainly to Europe or East Asia.