🇹🇲Turkmenistan Political Stability: 5.1/100

Turkmenistan is the 52nd-largest country in the world, covering 488,100 km², and is primarily characterized by the Karakum Desert, which occupies over 80% of its land. The country features significant topographical elements such as the Kopet Dag Range and the Caspian Sea, with a dry continental climate that results in low precipitation and high evaporation rates. Travelers should note that the climate can lead to extreme temperatures, with recorded highs reaching up to 51.7 °C (125.1 °F).

Turkmenistan has a population of approximately 6 million people, with the majority being ethnic Turkmen. The official language is Turkmen, and the country has a predominantly Muslim population.

World Bank governance: rule of law 2nd percentile, corruption control 0th percentile, political stability 25th percentile.

Turkmenistan's strongest governance dimension is Political Stability at 25/100, placing it in the lower half globally. This reflects a relatively low likelihood of politically motivated violence or instability.

The weakest dimension is Control of Corruption at 0/100. Corruption remains a significant governance challenge, potentially affecting everyday interactions with government institutions.

A moderate spread of 25 points separates the strongest and weakest indicators. This suggests governance strengths in some areas but room for improvement in others. Travelers can generally rely on institutional frameworks, though certain aspects of governance may be less dependable.

Turkmenistan's fragile governance environment presents real challenges for travelers. Institutional capacity is severely limited across most dimensions. Visitors should expect minimal government services, potential interactions with corruption, and limited recourse through legal systems. Travel to Turkmenistan requires extensive preparation and risk awareness.

The U.S. State Department currently rates Turkmenistan as Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions). This aligns with a governance profile that, while not without challenges, provides a baseline of institutional functioning.