Country Profile: Mongolia

Mongolia is a landlocked country situated in Northern Asia, bordered by China to the south and Russia to the north. It has a population of approximately 3.3 million people, predominantly of Mongolian ethnicity, and is characterized by a rich history as the heart of the Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan. Economically, Mongolia is classified as a lower middle-income nation, with a focus on agriculture and natural resources, particularly mining. Since its transition to a democratic government in 1990, Mongolia has developed a semi-presidential republic, balancing relations between its powerful neighbors, Russia and China.

Geography

Mongolia is located in Northern Asia, lying between China and Russia, with a total area of 1,564,116 square kilometers. The country features a varied terrain, including vast desert plains, the Gobi Desert, and mountainous regions, with the highest point being Khuiten Peak at 4,374 meters. The climate is predominantly desert and continental, resulting in significant temperature variations. As a landlocked nation, Mongolia's natural resources remain critical to its economy.

1: Highest point - Khuiten Peak at 4,374 m.
0: Coastline (landlocked).
4,630 km: Border with China.
3,452 km: Border with Russia.
69%: Agricultural land use (2023 est.).

People and Society

Mongolia's population is estimated at 3,281,676 in 2024, with a relatively young median age of 28.8 years. The populace is primarily of Mongolian descent, with Khalkh being the largest ethnic group, and Mongolian as the official language. Urbanization is notable, with approximately 69.1% of the population residing in urban areas, primarily in the capital city, Ulaanbaatar. The country showcases a diverse religious landscape, with Buddhism being the predominant faith.

51.8%: Buddhist population.
98.6%: Literacy rate (2023 est.).
2.6 children: Average total fertility rate (2025 est.).
71.9 years: Life expectancy at birth (2024 est.).
18.01: Birth rate per 1,000 (2025 est.).

Economy

Mongolia's economy is marked by its reliance on agriculture and natural resources, with a GDP of $23.586 billion projected for 2024. The economy has experienced fluctuations, with a real GDP growth rate of 4.9% in 2024 and a significant portion of exports headed to China. Despite the potential for growth, the country faces challenges such as inflation and reliance on commodity prices.

$59.221 billion: GDP (PPP) for 2024.
69.1%: Exports make up a significant portion of GDP (2024).
1.449 million: Labor force (2024 est.).
5.5%: Unemployment rate (2024 est.).
27.1%: Population living below the poverty line (2022 est.).

Government

Mongolia operates as a semi-presidential republic, with a legislative body known as the State Great Hural. The current president, Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, has been in office since June 2021. The country's governance reflects a balance of power, with various political parties competing for influence since the democratization process began in the 1990s.

21: Administrative divisions (provinces and 1 municipality).
126: Total seats in the unicameral legislature.
18 years: Universal suffrage.
0: Dual citizenship recognized.
5 years: Residency requirement for naturalization.

Military and Security

Mongolia maintains a military force known as the Mongolian Armed Forces (MAF), which includes land and air forces as well as cyber security units. The country has been active in international peacekeeping, contributing forces to various UN missions. Military expenditures are relatively low, amounting to 0.7% of GDP in 2024.

10-20,000: Estimated active personnel in the MAF (2025).
850: Troops deployed in South Sudan for UNMISS (2025).
0.7%: Military expenditure as a percentage of GDP (2024 est.).
24 months: Initial service obligation for military service.

Energy

Mongolia's energy sector is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with coal constituting a significant portion of both generation and consumption. The country had a total installed electricity generation capacity of 1.51 million kW in 2023, with the majority coming from coal.

90.4%: Electricity capacity sourced from fossil fuels (2023).
64.824 million metric tons: Coal production in 2023.
15,000 bbl/day: Total petroleum production (2023).
100%: Electrification rate of the population (2022 est.).

Environment

Mongolia faces various environmental challenges, including air pollution, soil erosion, and limited freshwater resources. Urban areas, particularly Ulaanbaatar, experience significant air quality issues due to coal combustion. The country is a participant in multiple international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these issues.

19.203 million metric tonnes: Total CO2 emissions (2023 est.).
69%: Agricultural land use (2023 est.).
34.8 billion cubic meters: Total renewable water resources (2022 est.).
13%: Percentage of municipal solid waste recycled (2022 est.).

Transportation

Mongolia's transportation infrastructure includes a network of railways and roads, with 37 airports facilitating air travel. The country’s rail system primarily serves freight transportation and connects to neighboring countries.

1,815 km: Total length of railways (2017).
318: Total number of merchant marine vessels (2023).
37: Airports expected by 2025.

Communications

Mongolia's communication sector has grown, with a mobile cellular subscription rate of 142 per 100 inhabitants in 2022, indicating widespread access to mobile technology. The country boasts a high internet penetration rate, with 83% of the population being internet users.

524,000: Fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2023).
4.84 million: Mobile cellular subscriptions (2023).
83%: Internet user rate (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	3,281,676	2024 est.
Area	1,564,116 sq km
GDP	$23.586 billion	2024 est.
Energy Consumption	67.132 million Btu/person	2023 est.
Birth Rate	18.01 births/1,000 population	2025 est.
Unemployment Rate	5.5%	2024 est.
Life Expectancy	71.9 years	2024 est.
Literacy Rate	98.6%	2023 est.
Military Expenditure	0.7% of GDP	2024 est.
Urban Population	69.1%	2023 est.