Turkmenistan: environment

How much of Turkmenistan's energy is renewable?

Renewable energy made up 0.0% of Turkmenistan's total final energy consumption in 2025, according to the TurkmenStat SDG platform (indicator 7.2.1). The platform gives 0.1% for each year from 2015 to 2022 and 0.0% from 2023.

The same platform reports that 100% of the population had electricity and relied mainly on clean fuels and technology in every year since 2015 (indicator 7.1.1 and 7.1.2). The World Bank also puts the renewable share at 0.1% in 2021.

Official sources: TurkmenStat SDG platform · indicator 7.1.1 · 7.1.2 · World Bank

How much pressure is there on Turkmenistan's water?

Freshwater withdrawals in Turkmenistan equalled 76.0% of available freshwater resources in 2025, according to the TurkmenStat SDG platform (indicator 6.4.2). The level of water stress was 75.2% in 2024, 82.9% in 2023 and 87.1% in 2021.

The indicator compares water taken for farming, industry and homes with renewable freshwater resources, after setting aside the flows that ecosystems need. On the same platform, 59.6% of domestic and industrial wastewater flows were safely treated in 2025, up from 48.7% in 2023 (indicator 6.3.1).

Official sources: TurkmenStat SDG platform · indicator 6.3.1

How polluted is the air in Turkmenistan?

People in Turkmenistan were exposed to an average of 31.2 micrograms of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) per cubic metre of air in 2023, according to the World Bank. The level was 33.4 in 2022 and 35.1 in 2021.

The figure is a population-weighted annual average, modelled from satellite and ground measurements. Exposure was 28.0 in 2019 and 28.7 in 2020. The national SDG platform publishes much lower values for indicator 11.6.2 on fine particulate matter, 0.059 micrograms per cubic metre in 2025, so the two series should not be compared.

Official sources: World Bank

How much of Turkmenistan is forest?

Forest covered 8.5% of Turkmenistan's land area in 2025, according to the TurkmenStat SDG platform (indicator 15.1.1). The national series has been 8.5% in every year since 2015.

The World Bank, using FAO data, gives forest at 5.0% of land area in 2024; the two use different sources. On the national platform, protected areas covered 4.0% of important sites for land and freshwater biodiversity in 2025 (indicator 15.1.2), and 17.7% of land was degraded (indicator 15.3.1).

Official sources: TurkmenStat SDG platform · World Bank · indicator 15.1.2 · indicator 15.3.1

How much of Turkmenistan's urban waste is collected?

99.8% of municipal solid waste in Turkmenistan's cities was collected and managed in controlled facilities in 2025, according to the TurkmenStat SDG platform (indicator 11.6.1). The share was 98.9% in 2024 and between 98.9% and 100% in every year since 2015.

The indicator measures waste collected and handled in controlled facilities as a share of all municipal waste generated in urban areas. It covers collection and disposal, not recycling rates. The platform does not publish a national recycling figure for indicator 12.5.1.

Official sources: TurkmenStat SDG platform

How many people in Turkmenistan have safe drinking water?

99.7% of Turkmenistan's population used safely managed drinking water services in 2024, according to the TurkmenStat SDG platform (indicator 6.1.1). The national figure was 99.9% in 2019 and 82.8% in 2016. For sanitation, 98.8% used safely managed services in 2024 (indicator 6.2.1).

The platform publishes these values only for survey or census years. The World Bank, using WHO and UNICEF estimates, gives 94.9% for safely managed drinking water in 2024. The difference reflects different sources and methods.

Official sources: TurkmenStat SDG platform · indicator 6.2.1 · World Bank

What is Turkmenistan's carbon footprint per person?

10.9 tonnes: that is carbon dioxide emissions per person in Turkmenistan for 2024, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. Its high point since 2005 was 2022, at 14.0 tonnes; its low point was 2009, at 10.0 tonnes. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 5.1 tonnes, and Turkmenistan placed 3rd highest of 46. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 16th highest.

How much greenhouse gas does Turkmenistan emit?

115 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent: that is total greenhouse gas emissions in Turkmenistan for 2024, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. Its high point since 2005 was 2022, at 135 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent; its low point was 2005, at 81.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 53.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, and Turkmenistan placed 13th highest of 46. World rank, highest first: 47th of 186.

How much renewable energy does Turkmenistan use?

The latest figure from the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO, for 2021, is 0.1%. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 20.4%, and Turkmenistan placed 50th highest of 50. World rank, highest first: 184th of 191.

What is Turkmenistan's forest cover?

According to the FAO, forest area as a share of land in Turkmenistan was 5.0% in 2024. It has not changed since 2005. It is 48th highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 33.2%. World rank, highest first: 164th of 190.

How polluted is the air in Turkmenistan?

The Global Burden of Disease study puts average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Turkmenistan at 31.2 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. The peak was 35.1 micrograms per cubic metre in 2021 and the low 27.3 micrograms per cubic metre in 2005. It is 3rd highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 13.0 micrograms per cubic metre. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 45th highest.

How much of Turkmenistan's land is protected?

4.3%: that is the share of land in protected areas in Turkmenistan for 2025, according to the UN Environment Programme. That is the highest since at least 2013. Europe & Central Asia median: 22.1%; Turkmenistan is 51st highest of 51. Of 192 countries with 2025 data, 169th highest.

How much of Turkmenistan's fresh water is used?

135.2%: that is water stress in Turkmenistan for 2022, according to the FAO. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 12.6%, and Turkmenistan placed 1st highest of 47. Worldwide: 9th of 175.