Mongolia

World Book Index

Introduction

Background
The Mongols established through conquest a huge Eurasian empire in the 13th century. They eventually retired to their original steppe homelands in present-day Mongolia and came under Chinese rule in the late 17th century. The Mongolian Revolution of 1921 ended Chinese dominance but ushered in Soviet control. Mongolia transitioned to an independent democracy in 1990.

Geography

Area
total : 1,564,116 sq km
land: 1,553,556 sq km
water: 10,560 sq km

Climate
desert; continental (large daily and seasonal temperature ranges)

Natural resources
oil, coal, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, phosphates, tin, nickel, zinc, fluorspar, gold, silver, iron

People and Society

Population
total: 3,281,676 (2024 est.)

Ethnic groups
Khalkh 83.8%, Kazak 3.8%, Durvud 2.6%, Bayad 2%, Buriad 1.4%, Zakhchin 1.2%, Dariganga 1.1%, other 4.1% (2020 est.)

Languages
Mongolian 90% (official, Khalkha dialect is predominant), Turkic, Russian (1999)

Religions
Buddhist 51.7%, Muslim 3.2%, Shamanist 2.5%, Christian 1.3%, other 0.7%, none 40.6% (2020 est.)

Population growth rate
0.78% (2024 est.)

Government

Government type
semi-presidential republic

Capital
name: Ulaanbaatar

Executive branch
chief of state: President Ukhnaagiin KHURELSUKH (since 25 June 2021)
head of government: Prime Minister Gombojavyn ZANDANSHATAR (since 13 June 2025)

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador BATBAYAR Ulziidelger (since 1 December 2021)

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Richard L. BUANGAN (since November 2022)

Economy

Economic overview
lower middle-income East Asian economy; large human capital improvements over last 3 decades; agricultural and natural resource rich; export and consumption-led growth; high inflation due to supply bottlenecks and increased food and energy prices; currency depreciation

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$59.221 billion (2024 est.)
$56.474 billion (2023 est.)
$52.572 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$16,800 (2024 est.)
$16,200 (2023 est.)
$15,300 (2022 est.)

Exports
$15.501 billion (2023 est.)
$10.989 billion (2022 est.)
$8.95 billion (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
China 92%, Switzerland 6%, Italy 1%, Thailand 0%, Japan 0% (2023)

Exports - commodities
coal, copper ore, gold, iron ore, crude petroleum (2023)

Imports
$13.545 billion (2023 est.)
$12.112 billion (2022 est.)
$9.256 billion (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
China 57%, Japan 13%, Germany 3%, Singapore 3%, USA 3% (2023)

Imports - commodities
cars, trucks, trailers, tractors, construction vehicles (2023)

Human Development Index

The country's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.747, ranking it 104th out of 193 countries tested. (more information)

World Happiness Report

The World Happiness Report ranked the country 90th out of 158 countries tested with a score of 5.364. (more information)