According to the Deputy Prime Minister, the poverty level in the country increased to 30% after the COVID-19 pandemic.
At a recent meeting of parliamentary groups in the Jogorku Kenesh, Edil Baisalov, who holds the position of Deputy Prime Minister, reported on the current poverty level in Kyrgyzstan, which is approximately 25%.
He noted that during the COVID-19 pandemic, this figure reached nearly 30%. According to statistical data, in the middle of last year, the poverty level was at 25.7%, and it has not changed significantly since then.
Baisalov explained that the category of poor in the country includes those citizens whose annual income per person is less than 65,417 soms, which characterizes monetary poverty.
“The reduction in the poverty level is happening extremely slowly, while its growth is observed very quickly. Even with active government measures, the decrease is only 2-3 percent,” he added.
The Deputy Prime Minister also emphasized that there is another form of poverty—multidimensional poverty—which encompasses not only financial aspects but also access to education, healthcare, housing, and basic needs.
According to the UN, over 1 billion people on the planet live in conditions of multidimensional poverty. This issue was discussed at the recent World Bank global summit in Doha, which focused on social issues.
Baisalov added that the fight against poverty will remain a priority for the cabinet of ministers, with the goal of reducing this figure to 15%.
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