In 2003-2005, per head GDP amounted 460 US dollars. However, 37% of the whole population is still living below poverty level (225 US dollars per year), and about 13% of the population lives in terms of abject poverty with income less than 140 US dollars per year. Kyrgyzstan experience indicates that economic growth not always promotes poverty reduction itself. Benefits from GDP growth are disbursed unsteadily among the population, income difference states about this fact.

In 2005 population size of the Kyrgyz Republic was about 5,1 million people, but population growth rate comprised 1,1%.

Population of the Kyrgyz Republic is relatively young and economically active. Out of the total population 56% is working-age population, 45% - children in the age from 5 to 19 years old. Within next 4 years labor-market will be increased to 115-120 thousand of young people yearly. So, labour-market has to accept 4% of working-age population additionally. At the same time, under the auspices of economic growth, official unemployment rate comprised about 10,0% out of total manpower resources in 2005. However, official data partly deal with unemployment problem. More specific available data indicate of the level of unemployment, which is 20% out of total number of manpower resources. As in many countries of the former Soviet Union, majority of unemployed people take no care of registering in placement service, in view of inessential payments and limited opportunities of State placement service. The number of partly employed people can be higher, in view of the fact, that many people, who are technically considered to be employed, actually work for half a rate. Youth unemployment is one of the most daunting problems. Among the number of unemployed people, 50% - youth people younger than 30 years.

Industrial decline in 1991 together with access absence to effective social payments and placement opportunities limitation in the formal sector served as the basis for informal sector development in the Kyrgyz Republic. On the basis of household inspection results, which was carried out by National Statistic Committee in 2004, it became known that more than 50% of economically active population is employed, or has its own businesses in the informal sector; basically are engaged with agriculture and trade. Employment is disproportionately high in agriculture. While agriculture fraction in GDP is 1/3, about 50 % of manpower resources were engaged with agriculture in 2004.
Employment in section of fields in 2004

Download document "Report and Recommendation of the President to the Board of Directors".