Turkmenistan
Asia · Central Asia
One of the world's most isolated states: gas-rich, authoritarian, with a bizarre personality cult.
At a Glance
📈Turkmenistan's Human Development Index
0.744
High human development#93 of 191 countries worldwide, #22 of 43 in Asia.
Higher than 52% of countries with data. UNDP Human Development Report.
UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita.
Closest indicators in this dataset
World Bank, own vintages. UNDP’s own component values are not carried here, so these are related measures rather than the index inputs.
Nearest countries by HDI
Full HDI ranking, all 191 countries →Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan is one of the most isolated countries in Central Asia, a vast flat desert state with the extraordinary crater of the Darvaza gas crater burning continuously in the Karakum Desert, ancient Silk Road cities like Merv and Nisa, and a capital in Ashgabat that is perhaps the most surreal city in the world, covered in white marble and golden statues. It is one of the strangest and most compelling places a curious traveller can visit, for those able to navigate the significant entry requirements.
- Has a burning natural gas crater called the 'Door to Hell' — lit in 1971 and never extinguished.
- One of the world's most isolated dictatorships — largely closed to independent journalists.
- Natural gas reserves so large that gas and electricity were free to citizens until 2019.
Quick Facts
Capital
Ashgabat
Languages
Russian, Turkmen
Currency
m TMT
Area
469,930 km²
Nomad Hub
GDP / Capita
$7K
PPP / Capita
$23K
Unemployment
4.3%
GNI / Capita
$6K
FDI Inflows
3.7%
Education Spend
4.3%
Price Level Index
88th pct
20-Year Trend + IMF Forecast
Income & inflation over time
HDI since 2005
0.652 → 0.744 (+0.092)Year by year →UNDP Human Development Report, 2023-24 edition. 18 annual values, none interpolated; hover any point for its year.
Twenty years here
Year by year →The world report →World Bank observations, first to last available year per indicator (roughly 2005–2024; each series has its own window).
Thinking about Turkmenistan for real?
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💬Quick answers
What is Turkmenistan's Human Development Index?
Turkmenistan's Human Development Index is 0.744 (UNDP Human Development Report), ranked #93 of 191 countries.
Is Turkmenistan safe?
Turkmenistan scores 1.90 on the Global Peace Index (lower is more peaceful), ranked #65 of 160 countries by the Institute for Economics & Peace. That measures national-level peace, not street crime; both are covered below.
What is life expectancy in Turkmenistan?
Life expectancy at birth in Turkmenistan is 70.2 yrs (World Bank), ranked #132 of 195 countries.