Kyrgyzstan Child Poverty Study

The National Study on Child Poverty and Disparities in the Kyrgyz Republic report was launched in late 2009, in conjunction with the 20th anniversary of the Convention of the Rights of the Child. During the launch, the lead researchers of the Study, the Presidential Institute of Strategic Analysis and Evaluation, in cooperation with the National Statistical Committee and CASE-Kyrgyzstan Centre for Socioeconomic Research – noted that despite steady growth in basic socioeconomic indicators, and measures that have been taken to reduce poverty in Kyrgyzstan, every second child in the country continues to live and grow in poverty. A whole generation of children can be observed in the country who were born and brought up in impoverished families. This proves the existence of chronic poverty and the fact the poverty is passed from generation to generation.

A Child Poverty and Deprivation Index is introduced in the report. For calculation of this index a model range of indicators was used consisting of 28 sub-indicators and grouped in 6 categories, from 2003 – 2007. The index shows large regional disparities, the highest value of the index in 2007 was reported in the capital of Bishkek (75.1%), which is significantly higher than those for other provinces, such as Batken (62.1%). Ninety three per cent of all indicators included in the calculation of the index are collected annually by national statistical bodies, hence monitoring of the index will be sustainable and will not require significant resources.

Find here the full report in English and in Russian

Hear how the increase of food prices has impacted the children in a poor Kyrgyz family



Focal points Gulsana Turusbekova and Muktar Minbaev