Kyrgyzstan: environment

How much air pollution is there in Kyrgyzstan?

Stationary sources such as power plants, boilers and factories emitted 58,300 tonnes of air pollutants in Kyrgyzstan in 2024, down from 62,300 tonnes in 2023, according to the National Statistical Committee. Treatment installations captured and neutralised 552,000 tonnes.

This covers registered enterprises only, not vehicles or household stoves, which are major sources of winter smog in Bishkek. The World Bank's estimate of average exposure to fine particles (PM2.5) is 20.1 micrograms per cubic metre for 2023, four times the WHO guideline of 5.

Official sources: National Statistical Committee table: Air pollution protection · World Bank: PM2.5 mean annual exposure, Kyrgyz Republic

What are Kyrgyzstan's CO2 emissions?

Kyrgyzstan emitted 10.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2024, excluding land use and forestry, according to the World Bank. That was up from 10.2 million tonnes in 2023, or about 1.5 tonnes per person.

The World Bank series is based on the EDGAR database and covers fuel combustion and industrial processes. No national emissions series was found in the National Statistical Committee's environment tables, checked on 15 October 2026. Hydropower supplies most of Kyrgyzstan's electricity, so emissions per person are low.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions, Kyrgyz Republic

How much of Kyrgyzstan's energy is renewable?

Renewable sources supplied 27.6% of Kyrgyzstan's final energy consumption in 2021, according to the World Bank, the latest year in its series. Almost all of it is hydropower.

The share covers all energy use, including heating, transport and industry, not just electricity, so it is lower than hydropower's share of power generation. It also changes with river flows: dry years cut hydro output and raise imports and coal use. The National Statistical Committee publishes energy balances separately.

Official sources: World Bank: renewable energy consumption share, Kyrgyz Republic

How much CO2 does Kyrgyzstan emit per person?

According to the European Commission's EDGAR database, carbon dioxide emissions per person in Kyrgyzstan was 1.5 tonnes in 2024. Its high point since 2005 was 2012, at 1.8 tonnes; its low point was 2006, at 1.1 tonnes. Europe & Central Asia median: 5.1 tonnes; Kyrgyzstan is 45th highest of 46. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 117th highest.

What are Kyrgyzstan's total greenhouse gas emissions?

The latest figure from the European Commission's EDGAR database, for 2024, is 22.4 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 53.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, and Kyrgyzstan placed 33rd highest of 46. World rank, highest first: 114th of 186.

What share of Kyrgyzstan's energy comes from renewables?

The latest figure from the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO, for 2021, is 27.6%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 22.0% (2008) to 30.0% (2020). Europe & Central Asia median: 20.4%; Kyrgyzstan is 18th highest of 50. Worldwide: 86th of 191.

What is Kyrgyzstan's forest cover?

In 2024, forest area as a share of land in Kyrgyzstan was 6.5%, according to the FAO. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 33.2%, and Kyrgyzstan placed 47th highest of 51. Of 190 countries with 2024 data, 163rd highest.

What is air pollution like in Kyrgyzstan?

The Global Burden of Disease study puts average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Kyrgyzstan at 20.1 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. Its high point since 2005 was 2009, at 22.5 micrograms per cubic metre; its low point was 2022, at 18.7 micrograms per cubic metre. Europe & Central Asia median: 13.0 micrograms per cubic metre; Kyrgyzstan is 9th highest of 51. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 83rd highest.

How much of Kyrgyzstan's land is protected?

The latest figure from the UN Environment Programme, for 2025, is 6.8%. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2013. Europe & Central Asia median: 22.1%; Kyrgyzstan is 50th highest of 51. World rank, highest first: 162nd of 192.

Is Kyrgyzstan short of water?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2022, is 50.0%. No year since 2005 has been lower. Europe & Central Asia median: 12.6%; Kyrgyzstan is 8th highest of 47. Of 175 countries with 2022 data, 37th highest.