Azerbaijan
Republic of Azerbaijan
Population
10.69M
Area
86,600 km²
GDP
$74.32B
GDP Per Capita
$22,100
Pop. Density
123/km²
Background
Azerbaijan -- a secular nation with a majority-Turkic and majority-Shia Muslim population -- was briefly independent (from 1918 to 1920) following the collapse of the Russian Empire; it was subsequently incorporated into the Soviet Union for seven decades.
Beginning in 1988, Azerbaijan and Armenia fought over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which was populated largely by ethnic Armenians but incorporated into Soviet Azerbaijan as an autonomous oblast in the early 1920s. In the late Soviet period, an ethnic-Armenian separatist movement sought to end Azerbaijani control over the region. Fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh escalated after Armenia and Azerbaijan gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. By the time a ceasefire took effect in 1994, separatists with Armenian support controlled Nagorno‑Karabakh and seven surrounding Azerbaijani territories. After decades of cease-fire violations and sporadic flare-ups, a second sustained conflict began in 2020 when Azerbaijan tried to win back the territories it had lost in the 1990s. After significant Azerbaijani gains, Armenia returned the southern part of Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding territories to Azerbaijan. In September 2023, Azerbaijan took military action to regain the rest of Nagorno-Karabakh; after a conflict that lasted only one day, nearly the entire ethnic Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh fled to Armenia.
Since gaining its independence in 1991, Azerbaijan has significantly reduced the poverty rate and has directed some revenue from its oil and gas production to develop the country’s infrastructure. However, corruption remains a burden on the economy, and Western observers and members of the country’s political opposition have accused the government of authoritarianism. The country’s leadership has remained in the ALIYEV family since Heydar ALIYEV, the most highly ranked Azerbaijani member of the Communist Party during the Soviet period, became president during the first Nagorno-Karabakh War in 1993.
Geography18
Location
Southwestern Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Russia, with a small European portion north of the Caucasus range
Geographic coordinates
40 30 N, 47 30 E
Map references
Asia
Area
land: 82,629 sq km
water: 3,971 sq km
Area - comparative
about three-quarters the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than Maine
Land boundaries
border countries: Armenia 996 km; Georgia 428 km; Iran 689 km; Russia 338 km; Turkey 17 km
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
Climate
dry, semiarid steppe
Terrain
large, flat Kur-Araz Ovaligi (Kura-Araks Lowland, much of it below sea level) with Great Caucasus Mountains to the north, Qarabag Yaylasi (Karabakh Upland) to the west; Baku lies on Abseron Yasaqligi (Apsheron Peninsula) that juts into Caspian Sea
Elevation
lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m
mean elevation: 384 m
Natural resources
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, nonferrous metals, bauxite
Land use
agricultural land
agricultural land: arable land
agricultural land: permanent crops
agricultural land: permanent pasture
forest
other
Irrigated land
14,693 sq km (2022)
Major lakes (area sq km)
Population distribution
highest population density is found in the far eastern area of the country, in and around Baku; apart from smaller urbanized areas, the rest of the country has a fairly light and evenly distributed population
Natural hazards
droughts
Geography - note
both the main area of the country and the Naxcivan exclave are landlocked
People & Society35
Population
male: 5,354,376
female: 5,339,994
Nationality
adjective: Azerbaijani
Ethnic groups
(2019 est.)
Languages
major-language sample(s):
Dünya fakt kitabı, əsas məlumatlar üçün əvəz olunmaz mənbədir (Azerbaijani)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions
Muslim 97.3% (predominantly Shia), Christian 2.6%, other <0.1, unaffiliated <0.1 (2020 est.)
Age structure
15-64 years: 68.7% (male 3,659,441/female 3,656,493)
65 years and over: 9% (2024 est.) (male 401,551/female 558,984)
Dependency ratios
youth dependency ratio: 31.6 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 14 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio: 7.1 (2025 est.)
Median age
male: 32.8 years
female: 36 years
Population growth rate
0.4% (2025 est.)
Birth rate
11.13 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
6.44 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
-0.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Population distribution
highest population density is found in the far eastern area of the country, in and around Baku; apart from smaller urbanized areas, the rest of the country has a fairly light and evenly distributed population
Urbanization
rate of urbanization: 1.38% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
2.432 million BAKU (capital) (2023)
Sex ratio
0-14 years: 1.15 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth
24 years (2019 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
18 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male: 12.6 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 9 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth
male: 73.5 years
female: 78.6 years
Total fertility rate
1.69 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.79 (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: urban
improved: rural
improved: total
unimproved: urban
unimproved: rural
unimproved: total
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 4.6% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
3.19 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Hospital bed density
3.9 beds/1,000 population (2019 est.)
Sanitation facility access
unimproved: urban: urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
19.9% (2016)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer: 0.36 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.06 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 0.94 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0.01 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Tobacco use
male: 37.9% (2025 est.)
female: 0.1% (2025 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
3% (2023 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
59.7% (2019 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% national budget): 11.9% national budget (2025 est.)
Literacy
male: 99.8% (2023 est.)
female: 99.7% (2023 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male: 13 years (2023 est.)
female: 13 years (2023 est.)
Government23
Country name
conventional long form
conventional short form
local long form
local short form
former
etymology
Government type
presidential republic
Capital
geographic coordinates: 40 23 N, 49 52 E
time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: does not observe daylight savings time
etymology: the name may derive from the Old Persian word badkuba, meaning "windward" and referring to its windy location on the shore of the Caspian Sea
Administrative divisions
districts: Abseron, Agcabadi, Agdam, Agdas, Agstafa, Agsu, Astara, Babak, Balakan, Barda, Beylaqan, Bilasuvar, Cabrayil, Calilabad, Culfa, Daskasan, Fuzuli, Gadabay, Goranboy, Goycay, Goygol, Haciqabul, Imisli, Ismayilli, Kalbacar, Kangarli, Kurdamir, Lacin, Lankaran, Lerik, Masalli, Neftcala, Oguz, Ordubad, Qabala, Qax, Qazax, Qobustan, Quba, Qubadli, Qusar, Saatli, Sabirabad, Sabran, Sadarak, Sahbuz, Saki, Salyan, Samaxi, Samkir, Samux, Sarur, Siyazan, Susa, Tartar, Tovuz, Ucar, Xacmaz, Xizi, Xocali, Xocavand, Yardimli, Yevlax, Zangilan, Zaqatala, Zardab
cities: Baku, Ganca, Lankaran, Mingacevir, Naftalan, Naxcivan (Nakhichevan), Saki, Sirvan, Sumqayit, Xankandi, Yevlax
Legal system
civil law system
Constitution
amendment process: proposed by the president of the republic or by at least 63 members of the National Assembly; passage requires at least 95 votes of Assembly members in two separate readings of the draft amendment six months apart and requires presidential approval after each of the two Assembly votes, followed by presidential signature; constitutional articles on the authority, sovereignty, and unity of the people cannot be amended
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state
head of government
cabinet
election/appointment process
most recent election date
election results
2024: Ilham ALIYEV reelected president; percent of vote - Ilham ALIYEV (YAP) 92.1%, Zahid ORUJ (independent) 2.2%; on 16 February 2024, Ali ASADOV reappointed prime minister by parliamentary vote, 105-1
2018: Ilham ALIYEV reelected president in first round; percent of vote - Ilham ALIYEV (YAP) 86%, Zahid ORUJ (independent) 3.1%, other 10.9%
expected date of next election
Legislative branch
legislature name
legislative structure
number of seats
electoral system
scope of elections
term in office
most recent election date
parties elected and seats per party
percentage of women in chamber
expected date of next election
Judicial branch
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges nominated by the president and appointed by the Milli Majlis; judges appointed for 10 years; Constitutional Court chairman and deputy chairman appointed by the president; other court judges nominated by the president and appointed by the Milli Majlis to serve single 15-year terms
subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal (replaced the Economic Court in 2002); district and municipal courts
Political parties
Azerbaijan Democratic Enlightenment Party or ADMP
Azerbaijan National Independence Party or AMİP
Civic Solidarity Party or VHP
Democratic Reforms Party or DiP
Great Order Party or BAP
Justice, Law, Democracy Party or ƏHD
Great Order Party or BQP
Motherland Party or AVP
National Front Party or MCP
National Revival Movement Party or MDHP
New Azerbaijan Party or YAP
Republican Alternative Party or REAL
Unity Party or VƏHDƏT
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission
chancery
telephone
FAX
email address and website
consulate(s) general
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission
embassy
mailing address
telephone
FAX
email address and website
International organization participation
ADB, BSEC, CD, CE, CICA, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Independence
30 August 1991 (declared from the Soviet Union); 18 October 1991 (adopted by the Supreme Council of Azerbaijan)
National holiday
Republic Day (founding of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan), 28 May (1918)
Flag
meaning: the blue band stands for Azerbaijan's Turkic heritage, red for modernization and progress, and green for Islam; the crescent moon and star are a Turkic insignia; the eight star points represent the eight Turkic peoples of the world
National symbol(s)
flames of fire
National color(s)
blue, red, green
National anthem(s)
lyrics/music: Ahmed JAVAD/Uzeyir HAJIBEYOV
history: adopted 1992; originally written in 1919 during a brief period of independence, but did not become the official anthem until after the dissolution of the Soviet Union
National heritage
selected World Heritage Site locales: Walled City of Baku; Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape; Historic Center of Sheki; Cultural Landscape of Khinalig People and "Koc Yolu" Transhumance Route
Economy29
Economic overview
upper-middle income, oil-dependent Caucasus economy; minimal economic diversification and dominance of state-owned enterprises; growth and fiscal consolidation supported by oil revenues, but risks remain from demand shocks; potential economic gains from Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire; education investments to diversify and retain human capital
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023: $216.388 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $213.497 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2023: 1.4% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022: 4.7% (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2023: $21,300 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022: $21,100 (2022 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$74.316 billion (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023: 8.8% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022: 13.9% (2022 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry: 42.6% (2024 est.)
services: 42.3% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
government consumption
investment in fixed capital
investment in inventories
exports of goods and services
imports of goods and services
Agricultural products
milk, wheat, barley, potatoes, tomatoes, watermelons, onions, apples, maize, cotton (2023)
Industries
petroleum and petroleum products, natural gas, oilfield equipment; steel, iron ore; cement; chemicals and petrochemicals; textiles
Industrial production growth rate
2.1% (2024 est.)
Labor force
5.02 million (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2023: 5.7% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2022: 5.7% (2022 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male: 12.3% (2024 est.)
female: 15.3% (2024 est.)
Average household expenditures
on alcohol and tobacco: 2% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2023: 2.6% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2022: 5% of GDP (2022 est.)
Budget
expenditures: $22.95 billion (2022 est.)
Public debt
Taxes and other revenues
15.4% (of GDP) (2022 est.)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2023: $8.329 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2022: $23.478 billion (2022 est.)
Exports
Exports 2023: $35.487 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2022: $47.274 billion (2022 est.)
Exports - partners
Italy 37%, Turkey 19%, Israel 5%, Greece 4%, Russia 4% (2023)
Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, natural gas, refined petroleum, plastics, electricity (2023)
Imports
Imports 2023: $25.016 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2022: $21.274 billion (2022 est.)
Imports - partners
Russia 17%, China 16%, Turkey 14%, Georgia 4%, Germany 4% (2023)
Imports - commodities
cars, crude petroleum, refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, garments (2023)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023: $13.749 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022: $11.338 billion (2022 est.)
Debt - external
Exchange rates
Currency
Exchange rates 2024
Exchange rates 2023
Exchange rates 2022
Exchange rates 2021
Exchange rates 2020
Energy7
Electricity access
Electricity
consumption: 23.857 billion kWh (2023 est.)
exports: 3.246 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports: 212 million kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 2.197 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
solar: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
wind: 0.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity: 5.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste: 0.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal
imports: 10,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption: 109,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 7 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Natural gas
consumption: 12.703 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
exports: 23.65 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
imports: 2.173 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
proven reserves: 1.699 trillion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Communications6
Telephones - fixed lines
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13 (2024 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 110 (2024 est.)
Broadcast media
TV is the most popular medium; many homes are hooked up to satellite; all Azerbaijan-based channels promote government positions; state-owned AzTV runs three national channels, and state-funded iTV is a national public service broadcaster; 4 national privately-owned stations; Turkish, Russian, and western TV is available on cable; analog terrestrial TV was phased out in 2016-17; radio outlets focus on entertainment, with around a dozen stations on FM in Baku; newspaper distribution is largely limited to Baku (2023)
Internet country code
.az
Internet users
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 21 (2023 est.)
Transportation5
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
4K
Airports
32 (2025)
Heliports
5 (2025)
Railways
broad gauge: 2,944.3 km (2017) 1.520-m gauge (approx. 1,767 km electrified)
Merchant marine
by type: general cargo 40, oil tanker 44, other 228
Military & Security6
Military and security forces
Ministry of Internal Affairs: Internal Troops, local police forces; Special State Protection Service (SSPS): National Guard (2025)
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2023: 4.5% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022: 4.5% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021: 5% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2020: 5% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
information varies widely; estimated 100,000 active Armed Forces personnel (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
Baku has been actively upgrading the military's inventory for over a decade with equipment acquisitions from several sources, including Belarus, China, Israel, Russia, and Türkiye; while most of the military's equipment was once Soviet-era material, it now fields quantities of modern armaments, including armored vehicles, artillery systems, air defense systems, fighter aircraft, tanks, and UAVs (2025)
Military service age and obligation
18-30 years of age for compulsory military service for men; 18-35 years of age voluntary/contractual service for men (18-40 for women volunteers); 18 months service for conscripts, 36 months for voluntary/contractual service (2025)
Military - note
key bilateral security relationships include Israel, Russia, and Turkiye; Azerbaijan's ties with Turkiye have included weapons transfers, technical advice, bilateral training exercises, and military support during its conflicts with Armenia; Azerbaijan is not part of NATO but has had a cooperative relationship with it dating back to when it joined NATO’s Partnership for Peace program in 1994 and has provided troops to NATO-led missions in Kosovo (1999-2008) and Afghanistan (2002-2014) (2025)
Transnational Issues1
Refugees and internally displaced persons
IDPs: 657,996 (2024 est.)
stateless persons: 271 (2024 est.)