General

Tajikistan is the smallest of the five central Asian states, with a total land area of 143,099 square kilometres – approximately twice the size of Tasmania. It is culturally diverse due to its unique geographical position at the crossroad of East Asia, the Middle East and Russia.

Tajikistan has a population of 10.3 million, with over 50 per cent of the population under the age of 25 years. Approximately 85 per cent of Tajikistan's population is ethnically Tajik, with Uzbek making up 14 per cent.  Around 98 per cent of Tajikistanis are Muslim, with the vast majority being Sunni. Shia Muslims are located primarily in the Pamirs. The small Christian population is predominantly of Russian descent.

Political Overview

Tajikistan is a presidential republic, with the president serving as both head of state and head of government. Since 1999, the Supreme Assembly has been composed of a 63-seat Assembly of Representatives and a 33-seat National Assembly.

Tajikistan was part of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) from 1929 until its independence in 1991. In 1992, Tajikistan was engulfed in the bitter Tajikistan Civil War which led to the death of between 20,000 and 150,000 people and displacement of more than 1.2 million individuals. A United Nations-sponsored armistice facilitated an end to hostilities in 1997.

Emomali Rahmon has been President since 1994 and leader of the ruling People's Democratic Party of Tajikistan since 1998. The last major opposition party in Tajikistan was banned in 2015. In 2016, President Rahmon was declared 'Founder of Peace and National Unity, Leader of the Nation' with limitless terms and lifelong immunity. Rustam Emomali, the son of the President, currently serves as the chairman of the Tajikistan Parliament and is mayor of the capital, Dushanbe.

Economic Overview

Over the past 30 years, Tajikistan has transitioned its economy from centrally planned to a progressively more open market-oriented economy. In 2023, Tajikistan's GDP was USD 11.9 billion and grew by 8.3 per cent. Tajikistan's largest exports are cotton and aluminium. The country also contains substantial gold, silver and antimony reserves. Switzerland and Kazakhstan are Tajikistan's top two export destinations. The Tajik economy relies heavily on personal remittances from overseas Tajikistanis, accounting for a third of GDP.

While Tajikistan's growth rate has averaged above 7.1 per cent across the last decade, the country has the lowest GDP per capita of Central Asia at USD 1,189 and the national poverty rate is 23 per cent. The Government of Tajikistan has made some progress on its development agenda.

Australia's Relationship with Tajikistan

Australia and the Tajikistan have a very small economic relationship. Two-way goods and services trade with Tajikistan in 2022-23 was worth $3.6 million, growing at an average of 15 per cent a year over the previous five years. Australia's exports to Tajikistan were $3.6 million and imports from Tajikistan were insignificant.

Australia established diplomatic relations with Tajikistan in December 1991. The Australian Ambassador to the Russian Federation holds non-resident accreditation to Tajikistan. Tajikistan is yet to establish diplomatic representation to Australia.