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Turkmenistan
Society
Population: In 1991, population 3,808,900; 1989
annual growth rate 2.5 percent; 1991 population density 7.8 persons
per square kilometer.
Ethnic Groups: In 1991, Turkmen 72 percent,
Russians nearly 10 percent, Uzbeks 9 percent, and Kazaks 2 percent.
Languages: Turkmen, official national language,
spoken by about 75 percent of population; Russian, replaced as
official language in 1992 constitution, still much used in official
communications despite campaigning to limit its influence; English
given status behind Turkmen as second official language, 1993.
Religion: Approximately 87 percent Muslim (mainly
Sunni), 11 percent Russian Orthodox; many who profess Islam are
not active adherents.
Education and Literacy: In 1991, estimated 98
percent of those above age fifteen literate; education compulsory
through eighth grade. Much of Soviet education system still in
place; substantial modification in progress to raise quality of
work force.
Health: Soviet system of free care for all citizens
remains in place, but in early 1990s supply shortages and poor
medical staff made care inadequate in many areas; infant mortality
highest and life expectancy lowest in Central Asia.
Data as of March 1996
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