Updated
Overview
Tajikistan has about 45% more people than Kyrgyzstan: 10.79 million against 7.34 million (2025).
Kyrgyzstan's economy is 28% larger than Tajikistan's, at $22.62B versus $17.66B.
Per person, Kyrgyzstan is the wealthier of the two: $3,081 against $1,637 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Tajikistan | Kyrgyzstan | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $17.66B | Higher: $22.62B | 2025 | $14.21B / $17.48B |
| GDP per capita | $1,637 | Higher: $3,081 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 8.4% | Higher: 11.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 6.0% | 8.2% | 2016 / 2025 | — / 10.8% |
| Unemployment | 6.9% | Lower: 3.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 28 | 33 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $140 | Higher: $329 | 2019 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $74 | $29 | 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 10.79 million | 7.34 million | 2025 | 10.59 million / 6.22 million |
| Population growth | 1.8% | 1.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 22.2 yrs | 25.4 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.99 | 2.75 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 71.9 yrs | Higher: 72.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 26% | 35% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 56% | Higher: 92% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 143,100 km² | 199,951 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 75.4/km² | 36.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 11 Mt | 12 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.0 t | 1.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $246.39M | $473.05M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.8% | 3.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 17,000 | 21,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Kyrgyzstan is growing faster: 11.1% annual GDP growth versus 8.4%.
Kyrgyzstan runs the hotter price environment: 8.2% inflation versus 6.0%.
Average monthly earnings favour Kyrgyzstan: $329 against $140 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Tajikistan is the younger society: median age 22.2 versus 25.4 years.
Internet adoption is higher in Kyrgyzstan (92% vs 56% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Tajikistan is 28% smaller than Kyrgyzstan: 143,100 km² versus 199,951 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Tajikistan is far more densely settled: 75 people per km² against 37.
Military
Kyrgyzstan spends about 90% more on defence than Tajikistan: $473.05M versus $246.39M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Kyrgyzstan carries the heavier military burden: 3.0% of GDP versus 1.8%.
Kyrgyzstan fields the larger armed forces: 21,000 personnel against 17,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Tajikistan bigger than Kyrgyzstan?
- Kyrgyzstan is larger by land area. Tajikistan covers 143,100 km² while Kyrgyzstan covers 199,951 km², so Kyrgyzstan is 40% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Tajikistan or Kyrgyzstan?
- Tajikistan has the larger population: 10.79 million versus 7.34 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Tajikistan richer than Kyrgyzstan?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Kyrgyzstan is richer: $3,081 against $1,637. Total GDP tells the same story: $17.66B for Tajikistan versus $22.62B for Kyrgyzstan.
- Who spends more on their military, Tajikistan or Kyrgyzstan?
- Kyrgyzstan spends more: $473.05M versus $246.39M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).