Economy: Mongolia has a population of about 2,700,000. A traditionally pastoral and agricultural economy, but mining secures the highest proportion of foreign exchange. The livestock (especially cashmere) and tourism trades are growing earners. Severe winters brought great losses of livestock, which impoverished many and forced thousands to move to the cities seeking work. Large-scale emigration is occurring as many thousands of Mongolians seek employment abroad.
Religion: Buddhism, Shamanism and Islam are recognized as Mongolia’s main religions, but certain religious freedoms are granted to all people. There are some restrictions on foreign religious workers, but Mongolia is effectively one of the most open countries ins Asia, with limited government interference in Christian work.