Tajikistan

Tajiks, a Persian-speaking people distinct from the Turkic majorities of their neighbors, form the bulk of the population, with an Uzbek minority. Tajik, closely related to Persian, is the official language.

Most Tajiks are Sunni Muslim, in a state that keeps tight control over religious expression.

Society

Tajikistan has high literacy inherited from the Soviet era and a young, growing population, but widespread poverty drives heavy labor migration, mainly to Russia.