The Human Truth Foundation

Tajikistan (Republic of Tajikistan)

http://www.humantruth.info/tajikistan.html

By Vexen Crabtree 2013

#tajikistan

Tajikistan
Republic of Tajikistan
StatusIndependent State
Social and Moral Index124th best
CapitalDushanbe
Land Area 139 960km21
LocationAsia
Population9.1m2
Life Expectancy71.59yrs (2017)3
GNI$4 548 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 CodesTJ, TJK, 7625
Internet Domain.tj6
CurrencySomoni (TJS)7
Telephone+9928

1. Overview

The Tajik people came under Russian rule in the 1860s and 1870s, but Russia's hold on Central Asia weakened following the Revolution of 1917. Bolshevik control of the area was fiercely contested and not fully reestablished until 1925. Much of present-day Sughd province was transferred from the Uzbek SSR to the newly formed Tajik SSR in 1929. Ethnic Uzbeks form a substantial minority in Tajikistan. Tajikistan became independent in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union, and experienced a civil war between regional factions from 1992-97. Tajikistan endured several domestic security incidents in 2010-12, including a mass prison-break from a Dushanbe detention facility, the country's first suicide car bombing in Khujand, and armed conflict between government forces and local strongmen in the Rasht Valley and government forces and criminal groups in Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast. The country remains the poorest in the former Soviet sphere. Attention by the international community since the beginning of the NATO intervention in Afghanistan has brought increased economic and security assistance, which could create jobs and strengthen stability in the long term. Tajikistan joined NATO's Partnership for Peace in 2002, and became a member of the World Trade Organization in March 2013.

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)9

Book CoverTajikistan´s awesomely dramatic highland landscapes are testing playgrounds for hardy climbers, trekkers and adventure travellers. Tajikistan is the only Central Asian republic to have so far suffered from civil war, and surrounded by Turkic-speaking `stans´, the only one where Persian is spoken. In a lofty mountain cul-de-sac at the furthest corner of the former Soviet domain, it still regards tourists as relative novelties. But this is not to say it doesn´t have a great deal to offer.

Aside from bustling Silk Road towns and colourful bazaars, Tajikistan´s main pull is the Pamir Mountains, a high-altitude plateau of intensely blue lakes, Kyrgyz yurts and rolling valleys that has impressed everyone from Marco Polo to Francis Younghusband.

The people are enormously hospitable but little English is spoken and transport is irregular. Tajikistan´s tourism potential is further restricted by long winters and infuriating border closures. But the marvels of the Wakhan Valley, the starkly beautiful `Roof of the World´ Pamirs and the breathtaking lakes and pinnacles of the Fan Mountains all make Tajikistan arguably Central Asia´s most exciting destination.

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)10

2. Tajikistan National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
Value11
1Switzerland0.962
2Norway0.961
3Iceland0.959
...
119=Kyrgyzstan0.692
120Venezuela0.691
121Iraq0.686
122Tajikistan0.685
123=Belize0.683
123=Morocco0.683
125El Salvador0.675
126Nicaragua0.667
Asia Avg0.75
World Avg0.72
q=191.
Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
PPP $11
1Liechtenstein$146 830
2Singapore$90 919
3Qatar$87 134
...
143Pakistan$4 624
144Marshall Islands$4 620
145Kyrgyzstan$4 566
146Tajikistan$4 548
147Kenya$4 474
148Timor-Leste (E. Timor)$4 461
149Syria$4 192
150Cambodia$4 079
Asia Avg$22 215
World Avg$20 136
q=193.
Social & Moral
Development Index
12
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank12
1Norway28.6
2Denmark30.0
3Sweden30.7
...
121Botswana96.2
122Kenya96.3
123Senegal96.5
124Tajikistan96.7
125Venezuela97.2
126Iran97.7
127Suriname98.0
128Namibia99.6
Asia Avg87.7
World Avg86.8
q=195.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.

3. Tajikistan's Demographics and Migration

#birth_control #demographics #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population

Population:

Tajikistan's population is predicted to fall to 9 016 000 by 2030. This country has a fertility rate of 3.19. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population is growing, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity, i.e., the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate, which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1.

Population2
Pos.2018
Population2
1China1.4b
2India1.4b
3USA327.1m
...
92UAE9.6m
93Honduras9.6m
94Belarus9.5m
95Tajikistan9.1m
96Austria8.9m
97Serbia8.8m
98Papua New Guinea8.6m
99Switzerland8.5m
World Avg39.0m
q=195.
Life Expectancy
Higher is better
11
Pos.2021
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
...
99St Kitts & Nevis71.7
100Ukraine71.6
101Bahamas71.6
102Tajikistan71.6
103Seychelles71.3
104St Lucia71.1
105Tonga71.0
106Mongolia71.0
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Fertility Rate
2.0 is best
13
Pos.201313
1N. Korea2.00
2Brunei1.99
3St Vincent & Grenadines2.01
...
123Lesotho3.08
124Namibia3.08
125Zimbabwe3.15
126Tajikistan3.19
127Haiti3.19
128Gabon3.20
129Swaziland3.21
130Bolivia3.25
World Avg2.81
q=180.
Old-Age Dependency Ratio
Lower is better
14
Pos.2016
Per 10014
1Uganda04.3
2Mali04.5
3=Chad04.7
...
59Bahrain08.7
60Syria09.0
61=Djibouti09.1
61=Tajikistan09.1
63Equatorial Guinea09.4
64=Kiribati09.5
64=Guatemala09.5
64=Saudi Arabia09.5
World Avg18.3
q=185.

Migration:

Immigrants15
Pos.2017
%15
1UAE88.4%
2Kuwait75.5%
3Qatar65.2%
...
104Iran3.3%
105Kyrgyzstan3.3%
106Chad3.3%
107Tajikistan3.1%
108Cape Verde2.8%
109Burundi2.8%
110Chile2.7%
111Micronesia2.6%
World Avg9.4%
q=195.
Emigrants16
Pos.2010
%16
1Dominica104.8%
2Palestine68.4%
3Samoa67.3%
...
56Luxembourg11.8%
57Jordan11.3%
58Kyrgyzstan11.2%
59Tajikistan11.2%
60Cuba10.9%
61Mauritius10.9%
62Greece10.8%
63Mexico10.7%
World Avg11.5%
q=192.

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#equality #freedom #gender #gender_equality #human_rights #morals #politics #prejudice #tajikistan #tolerance #women

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2020)17
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank17
1Sweden9.0
2Norway14.5
3Denmark14.5
...
89Suriname86.7
90Azerbaijan86.9
91Singapore87.4
92Tajikistan87.8
93Ghana87.9
94St Vincent & Grenadines89.2
Asia Avg99.9
World Avg87.9
q=199.
Tajikistan is generally poor at ensuring human rights and freedom compared to the rest of the world. Tajikistan does better than average in terms of opposing gender inequality18 and in its nominal commitment to Human Rights19. But that's it. Tajikistan has problems. It does worse than average in terms of commentary in Human Rights Watch reports20, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms21 (still good for Asia), LGBT equality22, freethought23 (still low for Asia), speed of uptake of HR treaties24 and in supporting press freedom25. And finally, it is the worst in the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators)26. Persecution of critics and opposition politicians continues27 and human rights defenders are harassed - 7 human rights lawyers have been arrested or imprisoned since 201427.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

5. Tajikistan's Health

#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #life_expectancy #longevity #mental_health #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #smoking #suicide #Tajikistan #vaccines

Compared to Asia (2020)28
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank28
1Hong Kong18.3
2Maldives41.0
3Singapore42.6
...
26Nepal80.3
27=Israel82.1
28Turkmenistan83.1
29=Tajikistan83.1
30Turkey84.5
31Jordan84.8
32Vietnam85.4
33Pakistan88.5
34=Mongolia90.6
Asia Avg80.1
q=50.
Health (2020)28
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank28
1Monaco13.0
2Hong Kong18.3
3Maldives41.0
...
57Macedonia82.5
58Croatia82.9
59=Turkmenistan83.1
59=Tajikistan83.1
61Canada83.5
62=Poland83.5
63Czechia83.6
64France83.8
World Avg93.5
q=196.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Hong Kong and The Maldives29. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are The Marshall Islands, S. Sudan and Palau29.

The data sets used to calculate points for each country are its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Asia and The Mediterranean29, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Australasia and Africa29.

For more, see:

Health:

Tajikistan does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. Tajikistan comes in the best 20 in terms of its suicide rate30. It does better than average in terms of its immunizations take-up31, its alcohol consumption rate32, its smoking rate33 and in its adolescent birth rate18 (but high for Asia). But, things could still be better. Tajikistan does worse than average in terms of its average life expectancy11 and in its fertility rate13. The prevalence of overweight adults has increased by 14% between 1976 and 2016. Life expectancy in Tajikistan improved by +9yrs in the 30 years from 1990, just over the global average improvement of +7.9yrs.

Life Expectancy
Higher is better
11
Pos.2021
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
...
99St Kitts & Nevis71.7
100Ukraine71.6
101Bahamas71.6
102Tajikistan71.6
103Seychelles71.3
104St Lucia71.1
105Tonga71.0
106Mongolia71.0
Asia Avg73.48
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Alcohol Consumption
Lower is better
32
Pos.2016
Per Capita32
1Bangladesh0.0
2Kuwait0.0
3Libya0.0
...
57=Benin3.0
58Togo3.1
59=Central African Rep.3.3
59=Tajikistan3.3
61Kenya3.4
62Mauritius3.6
63Malawi3.7
64=El Salvador3.8
Asia Avg3.9
World Avg6.2
q=189.
Fertility Rate
2.0 is best
13
Pos.201313
1N. Korea2.00
2Brunei1.99
3St Vincent & Grenadines2.01
...
123Lesotho3.08
124Namibia3.08
125Zimbabwe3.15
126Tajikistan3.19
127Haiti3.19
128Gabon3.20
129Swaziland3.21
130Bolivia3.25
Asia Avg2.46
World Avg2.81
q=180.
Smoking Rates
Lower is better
33
Pos.201433
1Guinea 15
2Solomon Islands 26
3Kiribati 28
...
83Senegal 504
84Pakistan 511
85Cape Verde 515
86Tajikistan 533
87S. Africa 537
88Iceland 551
89Norway 556
90Gabon 559
Asia Avg1 035
World Avg 819
q=182.
Suicide Rate30
Pos.2013
Per 100k30
1Haiti0
2Grenada0
3Egypt0.1
...
11Armenia3.9
12Dominican Rep.4.6
13St Lucia4.9
14Tajikistan5.2
15Venezuela6.5
16Malta6.9
17Greece7
18Paraguay7.1
Asia Avg19.50
World Avg20.93
q=91.
Overweight Adults
Lower is better34
Pos.2016
%34
1Vietnam18.3
2India19.7
3Bangladesh20.0
...
68Brunei41.2
69Malaysia42.5
70Botswana43.4
71Tajikistan45.3
72Trinidad & Tobago46.0
73Antigua & Barbuda48.0
74St Lucia48.1
75Uzbekistan48.2
Asia Avg44.3
World Avg49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate
Lower is better
18
Pos.2015
Per 100018
1N. Korea0.5
2S. Korea1.6
3Switzerland2.9
...
87Botswana32.3
88Romania34.6
89Bulgaria37.7
90Tajikistan38.1
91Vietnam38.6
92Pakistan38.7
93Haiti39.3
94Syria39.4
Asia Avg29.9
World Avg47.9
q=185.
Infant Immunizations 2011-2015
Higher is better
31
Pos.2015
Avg %31
1=Hungary99.0
1=China99.0
3Uzbekistan98.9
...
44St Kitts & Nevis96.3
45Bahamas96.2
46Maldives96.2
47Tajikistan96.1
48Rwanda96.1
49Sao Tome & Principe96.0
50Malaysia96.0
51Croatia95.9
Asia Avg90.5
World Avg88.3
q=194.

6. Tajikistan's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #food #meat #over-exploitation #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism

Compared to Asia (2023)35
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank35
1Japan33.2
2Philippines45.0
3Sri Lanka49.0
...
43UAE114.4
44Kuwait115.4
45Uzbekistan118.5
46Afghanistan120.3
47Brunei121.5
48Iraq122.5
49Tajikistan125.0
50Bahrain128.0
51Palestine147.5
Asia Avg88.8
q=51.
Responsibility Towards The Environment (2023)35
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank35
1Japan33.2
2Philippines45.0
3Uruguay48.0
...
178Brunei121.5
179Iraq122.5
180Montenegro124.3
181Tajikistan125.0
182Liberia125.8
183Bahrain128.0
184Haiti131.0
185Libya132.8
World Avg85.7
q=188.
(one of the worst in Asia)Tajikistan comes 8th-worst in the world regarding its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is calculated from 6 data sets. Tajikistan does better than average for annual meat consumption per person36 and in its forested percent change 1990-201537. But unfortunately Tajikistan gets most other things wrong. It does worse than average for energy to GDP efficiency38, its environmental performance39 and in how quickly it ratified the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity. And finally, it sits amongst the bottom 20 in the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population40 (amongst the worst in Asia).

Forest Area Change 1990-2015
Higher is better
37
Pos.2015
%37
1Iceland+205.6
2Bahrain+144.4
3Uruguay+131.3
...
72Estonia+01.2
73Seychelles+01.1
74Palestine+01.0
75Tajikistan+01.0
76Slovakia+01.0
77Russia+00.8
78Sweden+00.8
79Mongolia+00.1
Asia Avg+07.0
World Avg+02.8
q=184.
Environmental Performance
Higher is better
39
Pos.201839
1Switzerland87.4
2France84.0
3Denmark81.6
...
126Senegal49.5
127Malawi49.2
128Guyana47.9
129Tajikistan47.9
130Kenya47.3
131Bhutan47.2
132Vietnam47.0
133Indonesia46.9
Asia Avg54.5
World Avg56.4
q=180.
Energy to GDP Efficiency
Higher is better38
Pos.201438
1Hong Kong26.32
2Sri Lanka20.00
3Panama17.86
...
76=Kuwait07.58
76=USA07.58
78Czechia07.46
79=Tajikistan07.46
80Thailand07.41
81Cambodia07.35
82Nigeria07.30
83Georgia07.25
Asia Avg09.14
World Avg09.29
q=119.
Convention on Biological Diversity
Earlier is better
Pos.0
Signed
1=China1993 Dec 29
1=Guinea1993 Dec 29
1=Cook Islands1993 Dec 29
...
167Turkey1997 May 15
168Gabon1997 Jun 12
169Burundi1997 Jul 14
170Tajikistan1998 Jan 27
171Liechtenstein1998 Feb 17
172Macedonia1998 Mar 02
173Angola1998 Jun 30
174Tonga1998 Aug 17
Asia Avg1899 Dec 30
World Avg1899 Dec 30
q=197.
Rational Beliefs on the Environment
Higher is better40
Pos.2011
%40
1Argentina78.3%
2Greece77.6%
3Brazil77.1%
...
138Denmark14.9%
139Libya14.6%
140Iceland13.1%
141Uzbekistan11.3%
142Tajikistan11.1%
143Haiti10.0%
144Albania9.4%
145Turkmenistan8.6%
Asia Avg37.9%
World Avg39.9%
q=145.
Meat Consumption
Lower is better
36
Pos.2021
kg36
1Congo, DR03.0
2Burundi03.5
3Bangladesh04.3
...
57Nicaragua31.5
58Iran31.6
59Morocco32.1
60Tajikistan32.4
61Mauritania32.4
62Philippines32.9
63Burkina Faso33.3
64Central African Rep.34.4
Asia Avg46.7
World Avg52.5
q=185.

7. Tajikistan's Modernity and Learning

#education #it_security #modernity #religion #religiosity #research #science #secularisation #technology #the_internet

Compared to Asia (2020)41
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank41
1Taiwan10.0
2Japan21.9
3=S. Korea24.0
...
29Jordan81.1
30Philippines81.8
31Lebanon85.7
32Tajikistan88.3
33Oman88.9
34=Mongolia90.0
35Brunei91.6
36Palestine92.0
37Indonesia92.3
Asia Avg79.0
q=51.
Modernity & Learning (2020)41
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank41
1Finland8.4
2Taiwan10.0
3Switzerland15.1
...
113Venezuela87.1
114Morocco87.4
115Panama88.0
116Tajikistan88.3
117Oman88.9
118=Greenland90.0
118=Mongolia90.0
120Bolivia90.1
World Avg83.2
q=205.

Modernity and Education:

In the 1990s, Tajikistan reduced its expected duration of education by over 2 years, whereas most of the world's countries increased theirs; no other country saw such a large loss. 42

Research & Development
Higher is better
Pos.2016
% RDP PPP
1S. Korea4.2943
2Israel4.1143
3Japan3.5843
...
102Namibia0.1444
103=Georgia0.1345
103=Gambia0.1346
105Tajikistan0.1247
106=Burundi0.1246
107Madagascar0.1146
108=Philippines0.1148
108=Myanmar (Burma)0.1149
Asia Avg0.75
World Avg0.84
q=126.
Secondary Education
Higher is better
50
Pos.201850
1=Luxembourg100.0%
1=Estonia100.0%
1=Austria100.0%
...
30Ukraine94.6%
31Tonga93.7%
32Japan93.6%
33Tajikistan93.1%
34Barbados92.9%
35Albania92.9%
36Belarus92.2%
37Marshall Islands92.1%
Asia Avg66.0%
World Avg63.0%
q=169.
Length of Schooling
Higher is better
51
Pos.2021
Years51
1Australia21.1
2New Zealand20.3
3Greece20.0
...
141India11.9
142Kiribati11.8
143Nauru11.7
144Tajikistan11.7
145Micronesia11.5
146Vanuatu11.5
147Cambodia11.5
148Lebanon11.3
Asia Avg13.5
World Avg13.5
q=193.
Religiosity
Lower is better
52
Pos.2018
%52
1China3
2Estonia6
3Czechia7
...
44Mexico45
45Kyrgyzstan47
46Kosovo48
47=Tajikistan50
47=Romania50
49Georgia51
50=Armenia53
50=USA53
Asia Avg55.8
World Avg54.3
q=106.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users
Higher is better
53
Pos.201653
1Iceland100%
2Faroe Islands99%
3Norway98%
...
154Nicaragua19%
155=Uganda19%
155=Zambia19%
157Tajikistan19%
158Cameroon18%
159Pakistan18%
160Nepal17%
161=Mauritania17%
Asia Avg48.7%
World Avg48.1%
q=201.
IT Security
Lower is better
54
Pos.201354
1=Ireland0.11
1=Luxembourg0.11
1=Belize0.11
...
41Saudi Arabia0.93
42Malaysia0.96
43Canada0.96
44Tajikistan1.01
45Brazil1.02
46Indonesia1.05
47British Virgin Islands1.08
48Mali1.12
Asia Avg1.08
World Avg0.98

8. National Culture

#charity #corruption #happiness #morals #politics

Tajikistan has a consistently awful long-term record on corruption.

World Giving Index
Higher is better
55
Pos.2022
%55
1Indonesia68.0
2Kenya61.0
3USA59.0
...
68=Malawi39.0
68=Slovenia39.0
68=Burkina Faso39.0
68=Tajikistan39.0
68=Peru39.0
73Uzbekistan38.0
74=Chile38.0
74=Mali38.0
Asia Avg37.9
World Avg39.6
q=125.
Corruption
Higher is better
56
Pos.2022
Points56
1Denmark90.0
2=Finland87.0
2=New Zealand87.0
...
153Nigeria24.0
154=Cambodia24.0
154=Afghanistan24.0
154=Tajikistan24.0
157Zimbabwe23.0
158=Myanmar (Burma)23.0
158=Azerbaijan23.0
158=Honduras23.0
Asia Avg39.98
World Avg42.98
q=180.
Happiness
Higher is better
57
Pos.2018
Score57
1Finland7.6
2Norway7.6
3Denmark7.6
...
77Portugal5.4
78Serbia5.4
79Greece5.4
80Tajikistan5.4
81Montenegro5.3
82Croatia5.3
83Dominican Rep.5.3
84Algeria5.3
Asia Avg5.29
World Avg5.38
q=156.

9. Peace Versus Instability

#extremism #human_development #peace #politics #religious_violence #terrorism

Global Peace Index
Lower is better
58
Pos.2023
Score58
1Iceland1.12
2Denmark1.31
3Ireland1.31
...
98Ecuador2.10
99Cuba2.10
100Turkmenistan2.11
101Tajikistan2.11
102Kyrgyzstan2.12
103=Peru2.13
103=Guatemala2.13
103=Togo2.13
Asia Avg2.17
World Avg2.07
q=163.
Impact of Terrorism
Lower is better
59
Pos.2019
Score59
1Togo0.00
2Mongolia0.00
3Swaziland0.00
...
98Belgium3.64
99Angola3.78
100Tunisia3.94
101Tajikistan3.95
102Uganda3.96
103Mexico4.08
104Venezuela4.10
105Chile4.12
Asia Avg3.60
World Avg2.78
q=150.

10. Economic Inequality and Poverty

#capitalism #economics #health #inequality #life_expectancy #poverty #social_development

Inequality in Life Expectancy
Lower is better60
Pos.201960
1Iceland2.40
2=Singapore2.50
2=Hong Kong2.50
...
116Philippines15.30
117Iraq15.90
118Micronesia16.10
119Tajikistan16.70
120=Dominican Rep.17.00
120=Sao Tome & Principe17.00
122Bhutan17.10
123=Venezuela17.10
Asia Avg11.80
World Avg14.59
q=184.
Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient)
Lower is better61
Pos.2017
%61
1Ukraine25.0
2=Belarus25.4
2=Slovenia25.4
...
49Jordan33.7
50Luxembourg33.8
51=Sierra Leone34.0
51=Tajikistan34.0
51=Canada34.0
51=Cyprus34.0
55Latvia34.2
56Niger34.3
Asia Avg35.2
World Avg38.1
q=152.
Multidimensional Poverty
Lower is better62
Pos.2018
Severity62
1Armenia.001
2Ukraine.001
3Serbia.001
...
35S. Africa.025
36Indonesia.028
37Syria.029
38Tajikistan.029
39El Salvador.032
40Iraq.033
41Suriname.041
42Mongolia.042
Asia Avg.084
World Avg.154
q=101.

11. Religion and Beliefs

#belief #buddhism #christianity #god #hinduism #islam #judaism #religion #religiosity #secularisation #tajikistan

Religiosity (2018)52
Pos.Lower is better
%52
1China3
2Estonia6
3Czechia7
...
44Mexico45
45Kyrgyzstan47
46Kosovo48
47=Tajikistan50
47=Romania50
49Georgia51
50=Armenia53
50=USA53
52Bosnia & Herzegovina54
53=Greece56
53=Paraguay56
55Lebanon57
56Panama61
57Venezuela67
58Turkey68
59=Bolivia71
World Avg54.3
q=106.
Disbelief In God (2007)63
Pos.Higher is better
%63
1Vietnam81
2Japan65
3Sweden64
...
67=Angola2
67=Chile2
67=Central African Rep.2
67=Tajikistan2
67=Turkmenistan2
67=Indonesia2
73Paraguay1
74=Nicaragua1
74=Bolivia1
74=Colombia1
74=Costa Rica1
74=Honduras1
74=Brazil1
74=Ecuador1
74=S. Africa1
74=Venezuela1
World Avg9.9
q=137.

Data from the Pew Forum, a professional polling outfit, states that in 2010 the religious makeup of this country was as follows in the table below64:

Christian1.6%
Muslim96.7%
Hindu0.1%
Buddhist0.1%
Folk Religion0.1%
Jewish0.1%
Unaffiliated1.5%

It appears that when asked "What religion are you" many give pollsters the 'correct' answer despite how they actually feel, and despite what they actually believe. Although 98.7% of the populace say they belong to a religion, only 50% say that they are religious when the question is phrased as "Is religion an important part of your daily life?".

For more on this phenomenon, see:

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Sunni Muslim 85%, Shia Muslim 5%, other 10% (2003 est.)65.

Freedom of Religion and Belief: Religion seems to be tightly controlled in TajikIstan, but it is Islam in particular that been made the subject to prejudiced and draconian legislation, combined with some harassment of those perceived to be Muslims27. A book-registration and blacklisting scheme is being used to limit the import of religious books27. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom designates Tajikistan as a "country of particular concern" with respect to religious freedom27.

Links: