Country statistics

120 out of 189 in Human Development Index rating
(UNDP, 2019)

$1,160 Average annual salary per person (World Bank, 2021) 

20.1% live under the poverty line (WFP, 2021) 

A landlocked, mountainous country in Central Asia, the Kyrgyz Republic has a population of 6.6 million (WPF, 2021). 

With only 37.1% of the total population living in urban areas (CIA Factbook, 2019). Many people do not have food security. Two thirds of people without secure food access live in remote villages, where high altitudes, harsh winter, and hot, dry summers limit livelihood potential. Coupled with recurring climate-related shocks and disasters, communities are constantly challenged. People will often spend over 60% of their income on food, but it is not enough to provide them with the calories and nutrients they need (WFP, 2021). 

As the climate crisis continues, it is estimated that the Kyrgyz Republic will have an estimated 28,456 displacements due to natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods (Internal Displacement, 2021).

Access to amenities like sewage systems, water, electricity and health care is severely lacking, particularly for those living in poverty and rural communities (Habitat). 
 
Nearly 70% of the population are living in substandard housing or are homeless. It is not uncommon for 3 generations to live in a one room house (Habitat Worldmap). 

Support for vulnerable people is almost non-existent; in the capital Bishkek there is only one year-round shelter with a 70-person capacity (IWPR, 2016). Systemic corruption means that some may have to pay officials to receive benefits (RFERL, 2019).