macrohistory & world report

Azerbaijan

Map of Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan (its capital Baku) between neighboring states

World Factbook as of October 2014: "Azerbaijan's high economic growth has been attributable to large and growing oil and gas exports, but some non-export sectors also featured double-digit growth, including construction, banking, and real estate. Oil exports through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline, the Baku-Novorossiysk, and the Baku-Supsa pipelines remain the main economic driver, but efforts to boost Azerbaijan's gas production are underway.... Pervasive public and private sector corruption and structural economic inefficiencies remain a drag on long-term growth, particularly in non-energy sectors. Several other obstacles impede Azerbaijan's economic progress, including the need for stepped up foreign investment in the non-energy sector and the continuing conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Trade with Russia and the other former Soviet republics is declining in importance, while trade is building with Turkey and the nations of Europe."

Economic growth rate
2013: 5.8%
2012: 2.2%
2011: 0.2%
2010: 5%
2009: 9.3%

Labor force in agriculture
2008: 38.3%

Unemployment rate
2013: 6.0%
2012: 5.7%
2011: 1%
2010: 1%

Estimated oil production for 2010: 1.041 million barrels per day (rates 22nd). For oil exports in 2009, Azerbaijan ranks 25th.

Exports/import ratio
2010: In cash value exports are three times imports.

Exports partners
2010: Italy 26.8%, US 8.4%, Germany 7.1%, France 6.7%, Czech Republic 4.9%, Russia 4.4%

Income Distribution – GINI index
Ranks 98th among 141 countries (lower rank number is less equal).

Health expenditures
2009: 5.8% of GDP

People

Living in an urban area
2011: 53.6
2010: 52%

Net migration rate
2012: zero, more or less

Ethnic groups
1999 census: Azeri 90.6%, Dagestani 2.2%, Russian 1.8%, Armenian 1.5%, other 3.9%
note: almost all Armenians live in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region

Religions
Azerbaijan is a secular society, but predominately Shia Muslim. For 1995, the World Factbook estimate is: Muslim 93.4%, Russian Orthodox 2.5%, Armenian Orthodox 2.3%, other 1.8%. Religious affiliation is nominal. percentages for actual practicing adherents are much lower

Geography

South of Russia, north of Iran and east of Armenia.

Government

Azerbaijan is a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States, former republics within the Soviet Union that today are closely associated with Russia economically, in defense and foreign policy.

Recent History

World Factbook: "A consortium of Western oil companies began pumping 1 million barrels a day from a large offshore field in early 2006, through a $4 billion pipeline it built from Baku to Turkey's Mediterranean port of Ceyhan."

Copyright © 2009-2013 by Frank E. Smitha. All rights reserved.