Country Profile: Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is a secular nation located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, bordered by the Caspian Sea to the east, Iran to the south, and Russia to the north. The country has a population of approximately 10.7 million, predominantly ethnic Azerbaijanis, with a rich cultural heritage rooted in Turkic and Islamic traditions. Azerbaijan's economy is heavily dependent on oil and gas resources, which significantly contribute to its GDP, but faces challenges related to corruption and a lack of economic diversification. Governance is characterized by a presidential republic with significant influence held by the Aliyev family since the early 1990s.

Geography

Azerbaijan is situated in Southwestern Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea and neighboring countries including Iran, Russia, and Turkey. The terrain is diverse, featuring the flat Kura-Araks Lowland and the Great Caucasus Mountains. Its climate is predominantly dry and semi-arid. The country has a total area of 86,600 sq km, which includes both land and water bodies.

Elevation: Highest point at 4,466 m (Bazarduzu Dagi), lowest at -28 m (Caspian Sea).
Natural resources: Notable for petroleum and natural gas reserves.
Major lakes: The Caspian Sea is the largest body of water.
Land use: Approximately 57.8% is agricultural land (2023).

People and Society

As of 2025, Azerbaijan's population is estimated to be 10,694,370, with a balanced gender ratio and a majority Azerbaijani ethnic group. The population exhibits high literacy rates at 99.8% and is predominantly Muslim (97.3%). The capital, Baku, houses the majority of the population, showcasing rapid urbanization.

Age structure: 22.3% of the population is under 15 years old.
Urbanization: 57.6% of the population lives in urban areas (2023).
Life expectancy: Approximately 75.9 years (2024).
Total fertility rate: Estimated at 1.69 children born/woman (2025).

Economy

Azerbaijan has an upper-middle-income economy primarily reliant on oil and gas revenues. The country has seen economic growth driven by these sectors, but it faces risks related to global oil prices and a lack of diversification. The GDP is projected at $225.198 billion for 2024, with a GDP per capita of $22,100.

Inflation rate: Expected at 2.2% (2024).
Unemployment rate: Estimated at 5.6% (2024).
Major industries: Include petroleum, natural gas, textiles, and agriculture.
Exports: Predominantly consist of crude petroleum and natural gas, valued at $34.113 billion (2024).

Government

Azerbaijan operates under a presidential republic, with significant power concentrated in the presidency. The current president, Ilham Aliyev, has been in power since 2003. The country's legal system is based on civil law, with a unicameral legislature known as the National Assembly.

Suffrage: Universal at age 18.
Constitution: Adopted on 12 November 1995.
Administrative divisions: Comprises 66 districts and 11 cities.
Next presidential election: Expected in 2031.

Military and Security

The Azerbaijan Armed Forces include land, air, and naval units, with a personnel estimate of around 100,000 as of 2025. Military expenditures are significant, making up approximately 5.1% of GDP. The military focus largely revolves around territorial defense, particularly concerning the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Compulsory service: Required from ages 18-30 for men.
Military upgrades: Continuous modernization of military equipment, including acquisitions from multiple countries.
Key partnerships: Strong military ties with Turkey and Israel.
Recent conflicts: Engaged in notable battles over Nagorno-Karabakh, with escalations in 2020 and 2023.

Energy

Azerbaijan is rich in energy resources, particularly oil and natural gas, which are central to its economy. Electricity access is universal, with a generating capacity of 8.383 million kW (2023) and heavy reliance on fossil fuels.

Total petroleum production: Approximately 618,000 bbl/day (2023).
Natural gas exports: Estimated at 23.65 billion cubic meters (2023).
Energy consumption per capita: Roughly 66.467 million Btu/person (2023).
Electricity exports: About 3.246 billion kWh (2023).

Environment

Azerbaijan faces environmental challenges, including air, soil, and water pollution primarily due to industrial activities and oil spills. The country is party to several international environmental agreements aimed at addressing biodiversity and climate change.

Pollution issues: Significant soil pollution from agricultural practices and oil extraction.
Water withdrawal: Total resources amount to 34.675 billion cubic meters (2022).
Urban population: Approximately 57.6% of the total population lives in urban areas (2023).
Carbon emissions: Estimated at 38.892 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023).

Transportation

Azerbaijan has developed transportation infrastructure, including roads, railways, and a number of airports. As of 2025, there are 32 airports and extensive railway networks.

Railways: Total length of 2,944.3 km (2017).
Civil aircraft: Registered under the code prefix 4K.
Merchant marine: Comprises 312 vessels as of 2023.
Heliports: There are 5 operational heliports (2025).

Communications

The telecommunications sector in Azerbaijan is fairly developed, with high mobile subscriptions relative to the population. Internet access is widespread, with 89% of the population using it as of 2023.

Fixed line subscriptions: Approximately 1.33 million (2024).
Mobile cellular subscriptions: Estimated at 11.3 million (2024).
Broadband access: Around 2.15 million fixed broadband subscriptions (2023).
Television: Major media outlets primarily promote government positions.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	10,694,370 (2025 est.)
Area	86,600 sq km
GDP	$225.198 billion (2024 est.)	Purchasing power parity
Energy consumption	66.467 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Birth rate	11.13 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Unemployment rate	5.6% (2024 est.)
Life expectancy	75.9 years (2024 est.)
Literacy	99.8% (2023 est.)
Urban population	57.6% of total population (2023)
Military expenditures	5.1% of GDP (2024 est.)