Moving to TurkmenistanShare
With a very high English proficiency score of 456, daily communication and business integration are seamless. It hosts a vibrant and diverse expat community, notably drawing a significant number of residents from Uzbekistan.
Lifestyle & Vibe
Turkmenistan is one of the world's most isolated and authoritarian states - internet access is heavily censored and surveilled, VPN use is illegal and actively enforced, and independent movement within the country is restricted even for tourists. There is no expat social scene, no coworking infrastructure, and foreigners require government-approved itineraries in many cases. This is entirely incompatible with remote work needs. Turkmenistan should not be considered as a digital nomad destination under any circumstances.
Digital Freedom & Remote Work
Censorship and network interference data is currently being collected for Turkmenistan.
Society & Demographics
In Turkmenistan, the demographic balance is slightly male-dominated with 49.08% of the population being male and 50.92% female. The country has a relatively low internet penetration rate at 17.99%, reflecting limited digital connectivity. Educational spending constitutes a significant portion of the GDP at 27.62%, indicating an emphasis on education, yet the English proficiency score is modest at 456.00 according to the EF scale. The urban population stands at 47.09%, while 25.6% of parliamentarians are women, suggesting a gender imbalance in political representation.
Gender Distribution
Aging Society
Population over 65 years old
Education Spending
UNESCO Data. Indicates focus on public schooling.
Quality of Life
In Turkmenistan, the quality of life is reflected by a life expectancy of 69.1200 years, indicating an average lifespan. The country has a relatively high Universal Health Coverage Index at 81.0000, suggesting that its healthcare system effectively reaches a significant portion of the population. Despite these positive indicators, challenges remain, such as an obesity rate of 22.2200% and a happiness score of 5.4740 on a scale to 10, reflecting areas needing improvement for overall well-being.
Economic Freedom & Business Climate
The economy of Turkmenistan faces significant challenges with a low Overall Economic Freedom Score of 47.00, reflecting weak performance across various metrics including property rights (17.40), judicial effectiveness (12.30), and business freedom (37.50). Despite an unemployment rate of 4.27%, the country's financial health is supported by fiscal discipline as indicated by a Fiscal Health score of 99.90, while monetary and trade freedoms are moderately strong at 76.70 and 74.20 respectively. However, the high tax burden (94.20) and minimal investment (10.00) and financial freedom scores suggest limited opportunities for capital accumulation and market engagement.
Evaluated across 12 quantitative factors. Scores span 0-100, where higher scores indicate greater economic liberty, lighter tax burdens, and stronger property rights.
Climate Profile (Ashgabat)
Turkmenistan has a continental climate with scorching hot summers and mild winters, characterized by extreme temperature fluctuations throughout the year, with the hottest periods typically occurring in July and August, when temperatures soar to a sizzling 38.46°C, and the rainiest months falling in February and March, with up to 8 rainy days. The arid landscape is also marked by a distinct lack of rainfall during the summer months, with zero rainy days in August and September, making the country a challenging destination for expats and digital nomads who prefer milder weather. For a more comfortable experience, the best time to relocate or visit Turkmenistan is in the spring, from April to May, or in the autumn, from September to October, when the temperatures are pleasantly warm, ranging from 23.58°C to 30.92°C, and the rainfall is relatively low, making it an ideal season to explore the country's vast deserts, ancient ruins, and vibrant culture.
Political Stability & Governance
Evaluated across Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI). Scores span approximately -2.5 to 2.5, where higher scores indicate stronger governance, better stability, and lower corruption.
Relocation Guides & Articles
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Turkmenistan safe?
The homicide rate in Turkmenistan is 1.0 per 100,000 people (World Bank).
Are people happy in Turkmenistan?
The World Happiness Report scores Turkmenistan at 5.5 out of 10.