Mongolia Passport

[Country Name] Mongolia

[Area] 1.5665 million square kilometers.

【 Population 】 Approximately 3.5 million people (as of December 2023). Karka Mongols account for about 80% of the population of the country, in addition to Kazak and other ethnic minorities. The main language is Khalkha Mongolian. The residents mainly believe in Lamaism.

【 Capital 】 Ulaanbaatar. The permanent population is approximately 1.5 million (as of 2023). The average temperature is 1.6 ℃.

President UKHNAAGIIN KHURELSUH assumed office on June 25, 2021.

Important Festivals

(1) The White Moon Festival, with the same date as the Tibetan New Year in China, is the most solemn festival in Mongolian folk culture. It was formerly known as the "Herdsmen's Day" and is only celebrated in pastoral areas. In December 1988, the Presidium of the Great People's Hural of Mongolia decided to designate White Moon as a national holiday.

(2) July 11th. In 1921, the People's Revolution led by the Mongolian People's Party achieved victory. On July 10th, a constitutional monarchy was established in Kuren (now Ulaanbaatar), and the following day was designated as National Day. Since 1922, Mongolia has regularly held a national Nadam festival on July 11th every year, which has become a major component of the National Day celebration. On June 13, 1997, the third meeting of the Mongolian Central Committee decided to rename Mongolia's National Day as "National Day - Nadam". Nadam, meaning "game" and "entertainment" in Mongolian, originally referred to the long-standing "men's three competitions" (wrestling, horse racing, and archery) of the Mongolian ethnic group, but now refers to a collective entertainment activity held in an ancient traditional way, rich in ethnic characteristics.

【 Overview 】 A landlocked country located in central Asia, bordering China to the east, south, and west, and Russia to the north. It belongs to a typical continental climate, with an average annual temperature of 1.56 ℃. The lowest temperature in winter can reach -50 ℃, and the highest temperature in the Gobi region in summer can reach over 40 ℃.

The current Constitution was adopted in January 1992 and came into effect on February 12 of the same year. The Constitution stipulates that Mongolia is an independent and sovereign republic; Regard the establishment of a humane civil democratic society in the country as a noble goal; Without the promulgation of laws, it is prohibited for foreign military forces to station in and pass through the territory of Mongolia; The state recognizes all forms of public and private ownership; The state respects religion, religion reveres the state, and citizens enjoy freedom of religious belief; Adhere to the recognized norms and principles of international law and pursue a peaceful foreign policy. According to the constitution, the country's name will be changed to "Mongolia" and a parliamentary system will be implemented.

The State Great Hural is the highest authority of the state, exercising legislative power. The State Great Hural may propose to discuss any issues related to domestic and foreign policies, and shall resolve the following issues within its special powers: approving, supplementing, and amending laws; Determine the foundation of internal and external policies; Announce the election dates for the President, State Great Hural, and their members; Deciding and replacing the Standing Committee of the State Great Hural; Promulgate laws recognizing the election of the President and his authority; Recall the president; Appointing and dismissing the Prime Minister and members of the government; Determine the composition and authority of the National Security Council; Deciding to pardon, etc. The State Great Hural is a unicameral parliament, whose members are directly or indirectly elected by Mongolian citizens through anonymous voting, with a term of four years. The current National Great Hural will be elected in June 2024, with a total of 126 seats, distributed as follows: 68 seats for the People's Party, 42 seats for the Democratic Party, 8 seats for the People's Party, and 4 seats for the Citizen Will Green Party and the National Alliance. The President of the State Great Hural is DASHZEGVE AMARBAYASGALAN (People's Party), who will take office in July 2024.

The highest executive body of state power, with members appointed by the State Great Hural. The Prime Minister is LUWSANNAMSRAI OYUN ERDENE, with a total of 23 government members including Deputy Prime Minister, Director of the Government Office, Chairman of the National Committee, and various ministers.

The country is divided into the capital and 21 provinces.

The judiciary exercises judicial power and is composed of the Supreme Court and local courts at all levels. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Gonz á lez, took office in June 2020. The procuratorial organs are composed of the General Prosecutor's Office and local procuratorates at all levels. In May 2019, Zalghal Saihan was appointed as the Attorney General of the country.

Political parties implement a multi-party system. As of September 2024, there are a total of 36 political parties. The main ones are:

(1) Mongolian People's Party. Established on March 1, 1921, it was renamed the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party in March 1925. In February 1997, the party's 22nd National Congress determined its nature as a "center left political party with national democratic characteristics". The theoretical basis is the "democratic socialist ideology". In October 2007, the party held its 25th National Congress and decided to retain the provision in the party constitution that "the party chairman concurrently serves as the prime minister" through amendments to the party constitution. In November 2010, the 26th National Congress was held, restoring the party name to the People's Party and electing a leadership committee consisting of 31 members. There are approximately 220000 party members. In April 2021, the Mongolian People's Party merged with the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party, the third largest party in Mongolia. The current chairman, Lobsang Namsulai Oyun Erden.

(2) The Democratic Party. On December 6, 2000, it was formed by the merger of the Mongolian National Democratic Party, Social Democratic Party, Democratic Renaissance Party, Religious Democratic Party, and Democratic Party. There are approximately 180000 party members. The purpose of the Party is to value the development, power, and freedom of individuals, and to assume corresponding social responsibilities based on their individual abilities. The party's goal is to consolidate Mongolia's political independence; Establish a reasonable and strong economic system; Establish an open society; Establishing good governance; Closely aligning social development with international progress. The National Congress of the Communist Party of China holds a meeting every four years. The National Policy Committee (equivalent to the Central Committee) is responsible for daily work.

[Important Person] President: Ukhna Khurilesukh. Born in June 1968. Graduated from the Political Science program at the Mongolian National Defense University in 1989. Formerly served as a member of the Mongolian Democratic Socialist Youth League and the People's Party Leadership Committee. From 2008 to 2012, he served as the General Secretary of the Mongolian People's Party. Served as a member of parliament three times and as deputy prime minister twice. In 2017, he became the Prime Minister and the Chairman of the People's Party. He was re elected as Prime Minister in 2020, resigned in January 2021, and was elected as President in June.

Chairman of the State Great Hural: Daxizegbu Amarbaishigleng. Born in 1981 in the province of Gorbi Altai. I graduated from the Engineering Department of Mongolian University of Science and Technology in 2003, the Political Science Department of Mongolian National University in 2011, and the Master's Preparatory Program of Georgetown University in the United States in 2015. Formerly served as Vice Chairman of the Mongolian People's Party Youth Federation, Chairman of the Capital Parliament Party Group, General Secretary of the People's Party, and Director of the Mongolian Government Office. Elected as a member of the State Great Hural in June 2024. Elected as the President of the State Great Hural in July 2024.

Prime Minister: Lobsang Namsulai Oyun Erden. Male, born in 1980. Graduated from Bell's University with a major in Journalism in 2001, and obtained a Master's degree in Public Administration from Harvard University in the United States in 2015. Former Chairman of the Mongolian Social Democratic Youth Union and Secretary of the Mongolian People's Party. From 2016 to 2020, he served as a Mongolian Member of Parliament. From 2019 to 2020, he served as a Mongolian Minister and Director of the Government Office. On July 8, 2020, he became a Mongolian Member of Parliament and Director of the Government Office. Appointed as the Prime Minister of Mongolia in January 2021.

【 Economic Overview 】 The main industries include mining, agriculture and animal husbandry, transportation, and services. The national economy has a high degree of external dependence. Previously implemented a planned economy for a long time. Transition to a market economy began in 1991. In July 1997, the government passed the "1997-2000 State owned Assets Privatization Plan" with the goal of making the private sector dominant in the national economy.

The underground resources are abundant. More than 80 types of mineral resources have been identified, including copper, molybdenum, gold, silver, uranium, lead, zinc, rare earths, iron, fluorite, phosphorus, coal, and petroleum. The national forest coverage rate is about 8%.

Gross Domestic Product: 68.9 trillion Tugrik (2023)

Gross Domestic Product Growth Rate: 6.8% (2023)

Currency name: TUGRUG

Exchange rate: 1 US dollar=3392 Tugrik (October 2024)

Animal husbandry is a traditional industry in Mongolia, the foundation of the national economy, and the main source of raw materials for processing and daily necessities. Mongolia has a vast land and sparse population, and the winter season lasts for a long time. Animal husbandry production is still mainly based on natural release, and it is still difficult to achieve large-scale and modern production at this stage, which is greatly affected by natural climate and livestock. At the beginning of 2024, the livestock inventory reached approximately 6.47 million heads.

Agriculture (mainly referring to planting) is not a pillar industry of Mongolia's national economy, but it is related to the national economy and people's livelihood, and has always been valued by the government. There are over 60000 people engaged in agriculture, accounting for about a quarter of the total output value of agriculture and animal husbandry. The main crops in Mongolia include wheat, barley, potatoes, cabbage, radish, scallions, garlic, rapeseed, etc. In 2023, the total grain production in Mongolia will be 470000 tons; 179000 tons of potatoes; 208000 tons of vegetables; 258000 tons of feed crops.

Mongolia has abundant mineral resources, and some of its large mineral reserves are in a leading position internationally. At present, the large and medium-sized mines that Mongolia has been mining and exporting products mainly include: Oyu Tolgoi Copper and Gold Mine (OT Mine), Tawin Tolgoi Coal Mine (TT Mine), Erdenet Copper Molybdenum Mine, Nalinsuhait Coal Mine, Baganuoer Coal Mine, Tumuting Aobao Zinc Mine, Tamchak Oilfield, etc.

The transportation industry is mainly based on railways and highways. The total length of railways is about 2000 kilometers, and the total length of highways is over 50000 kilometers. There is a railway connecting China and Russia within the territory. Air freight: There are regular flights between Beijing, Hohhot, Hailar, Moscow, Irkutsk, Seoul, Tokyo, Osaka, and Frankfurt. There are two international airports, both located in Ulaanbaatar.

[Tourism] Mongolia is one of the few countries in the world that retain nomadic culture, with a small population, vast territory and good natural features. Tourism has a broad prospect. The period from June to August each year is the peak tourist season.

The domestic financial market in Mongolia is relatively small in scale. In 2023, Mongolia's fiscal revenue will be 24.3 trillion yuan and expenditure will be 22.5 trillion yuan; The money supply in Mongolia was 37.6 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 7.9%. In 2023, the balance of commercial loans in Mongolia is 27.4 trillion yuan; The non-performing loans amounted to 2 trillion yuan, and the overdue loans reached 1.3 trillion yuan.

Implement an economic opening-up policy in foreign trade. In recent years, Mongolia has actively developed economic and trade cooperation with developed Western countries and Asian countries. In 2023, Mongolia's total foreign trade reached 24.4 billion US dollars, including imports of 9.3 billion US dollars and exports of 15.2 billion US dollars. Exports are mainly mineral products, textiles and livestock products, among which coal exports account for a large proportion in the export volume. The main trading partners are China, Russia, the European Union, Canada, the United States, Japan, South Korea, etc.

The Mongolian People's Army was established on March 18, 1921. The President concurrently serves as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. Since 1996, the system of civilian defense ministers has been implemented. The General Staff of the Armed Forces is independent of the Ministry of National Defense. Implementing the compulsory military service system, the organizational structure of the armed forces began to be adjusted in 1997, and its organizational system shifted from division regiment system to brigade battalion system. Since 1998, alternative, contract military service, and compensatory service systems have been added. The service period was changed to one year from 1992. The total military strength is about 14000 people.

Implement the national universal free general education system for cultural education. There are nearly 800 full-time general education schools and 63 professional training centers nationwide. There are a total of 113 universities in the country, including 16 national universities, mainly including national universities, universities of science and technology, education universities, etc., and 92 private universities, mainly including Ihzhasak University, Otgen Tengger University, etc. Five are branch campuses of foreign universities. According to the intergovernmental agreement on cultural, educational, and scientific cooperation, Mongolia has exchanged students with over 50 countries. The main cultural units in Mongolia include the National Folk Song and Dance Troupe, the National Theatre, the National Opera and Dance Theatre, the National Acrobatic Theatre, the National Music Hall, the National Puppet Theatre, the Bogdakhan Palace Museum, the Qiaoyijin Lama Temple Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, the National Museum of History, the National Museum of Natural History, the Cultural Heritage Center, the National Library, and the National Art Gallery.

According to Mongolian statistics, there are approximately 126 newspapers, 92 magazines, 76 radio stations, 150 television stations, and over 30 online media outlets that are publicly distributed nationwide. The main newspapers and magazines include "Daily News", "Century News", "Today's News", "Truth News", "Mongolian News", etc. These newspapers have the largest circulation in Mongolia. Except for Pravda, which is the official newspaper of the Mongolian People's Party, all others are free publications. In addition, there are newspapers such as Suoyunbo (military newspaper), Ulaanbaatar Times, and People's Rights Daily.

Mongolian News Agency (abbreviated as Mongolian News Agency): It is an official news agency founded in 1921. The agency has cooperative relationships with Xinhua News Agency, Reuters, Russian News Agency, TASS News Agency, and others.

National Public Radio: It is the only non private radio station in Mongolia and also the most influential news organization in Mongolia. The radio station covers the whole country.

In addition, there is TV9 TV5、TV25、 Ulaanbaatar Television, Eagle C1、TV8、NTV、 Education, USB, and other private television stations are relatively large.

The "Concept of Mongolia's Foreign Policy" adopted by the State Great Hural in 1994 stipulates that Mongolia adheres to an open and non aligned foreign policy, emphasizes that "establishing friendly relations with Russia and China is the primary task of Mongolia's foreign policy", and advocates for "balanced exchanges and extensive neighborly cooperation" with China and Russia. Simultaneously emphasizing the development of friendly relations and cooperation with developed Western countries such as the United States, Japan, Germany, Asia Pacific countries, developing countries, and international organizations. In 2011, the State Great Hural of Mongolia adopted a new Foreign Policy Concept, expanding the "open and non aligned foreign policy" to a "peace loving, open, independent, and multi pivot foreign policy", emphasizing the unity and continuity of foreign policy. It is clear that the primary task of foreign policy is to develop friendly relations with Russia and China, and include the "third neighbor" policy in the vision to develop relations with the United States, Japan, the European Union, India, South Korea, Türkiye and other western countries and alliances. In 2004, Mongolia became the first observer state of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. In March 2012, Mongolia established a "Global Partnership" with NATO. In November, Mongolia joined the OSCE and became the 57th member state of the organization.