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Tajikistan
Society
Population: By last Soviet census (1989), 5,092,603;
no later reliable estimate available. Annual growth rate 3.0 percent
in 1992; 1991 population density 38.2 persons per square kilometer.
Ethnic Groups: In 1989 census, Tajiks 62.3 percent,
Uzbeks 23.5 percent, Russians 7.6 percent, Tatars 1.4 percent,
and Kyrgyz 1.3 percent.
Languages: Official state language, Tajik, is
spoken by an estimated 62 percent; Russian, widely used in government
and business, a second language for most of urban non-Russian
population.
Religion: Islam practiced by about 90 percent
of population, mainly Sunni; remainder Russian Orthodox, with
some other small Christian and Jewish groups.
Education and Literacy: Education compulsory
through secondary school, but completion rate below 90 percent.
Literacy estimated at 98 percent. In 1990s, facilities and materials
extremely inadequate, and specialized secondary and higher education
programs poorly developed.
Health: Generally low level of care in Soviet
era continued or declined in 1990s. Number and quality of medical
personnel, hospitals, and equipment undermined by low funding
and civil war. Mortality and incidence of disease rose in 1990s
because of pollution and shortage of medicines.
Data as of March 1996
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