The population of Kyrgyzstan is over 5 million people.
The ethnic composition of Kyrgyzstan is represented by:
- Kyrgyz (69%);
- other nations (Russians, Uzbeks, Tajiks, Dungans, Uighurs, Germans, Tatars).
60% of the country's population lives in villages (this is especially true for Uzbeks and Kyrgyz). Russians mostly live in cities, while Uzbeks live in Osh oblast.
26 people live per 1 sq. Km, but most of the population of Kyrgyzstan lives in Talays, Chui, Osh, Issyk-Kul, Jalal-Abad regions (population density - 100 people per 1 sq. Km), and the least populated areas are Chatkal, At -Bashi, Naryn (population density - 5 people per 1 sq. Km).
The state language is Kyrgyz, but Russian and Uzbek are widespread.
Large cities: Bishkek, Jalal-Abad, Osh, Talas, Karakol.
Residents of Kyrgyzstan profess Islam (Sunnism) and Orthodoxy.
Life span
On average, the female population lives up to 74, and the male population - up to 60 years.
Despite the fact that Kyrgyzstan has a fairly well-developed network of medical institutions, there is a shortage of disposable instruments and some medicines.
The main causes of death of the population of the Republic are cancer, diseases of the circulatory system, respiratory diseases, parasitic and infectious diseases.
Before going to Kyrgyzstan, it is worth getting preventive vaccinations against rabies, poliomyelitis, hepatitis B and C, typhoid and cholera.
Traditions and customs of the inhabitants of Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyz families are usually large, since several generations of relatives live together. In the family, it is customary to respect the elders and obey the head of the family. Also, in Kyrgyzstan, neighborly mutual assistance is developed - if necessary, a family in need of help will always be supported by both relatives and neighbors.
The Kyrgyz are hospitable people: if you are invited to visit, do not refuse. As a rule, Kyrgyz guests meet at the gate - they are greeted and invited to enter the house. At the table, it is appropriate to ask about the well-being of family members and their affairs. As a gift for the owners of the house, you can take small souvenirs with you, and sweets for children. Do not be surprised that the beginning and end of the meal will be accompanied by tea drinking - this is a national peculiarity of the Kyrgyz (tea is poured by the owner of the house).
In the life of the Kyrgyz, a special role belongs to national entertainments, namely, various ethno-games and competitions. The most popular games are horse racing and ulak-tartysh (riders' fight for the carcass of a goat). Young people love to play the romantic game kyz-kuumai (“catch up with the girl”), the essence of which is as follows: a guy riding a horse must catch up with a girl and kiss her. As a rule, ethno games are played on major holidays, and a large number of people take part in them.
If you are going for a walk during your trip to Kyrgyzstan, always have your passport with you, as local police often stop tourists to check documents.
