More than 70% of households in Kyrgyzstan feel financially secure

Since December 2021, the World Bank has been conducting monthly surveys to examine how people's well-being and public mood are changing. The telephone survey covers a representative sample of citizens across the country, capturing changes in the socio-economic situation.

The latest data shows that despite income stability from July to October 2024, more than 70% of households feel financially secure and the subjective poverty rate has remained at 16%. 
Food security has improved significantly, with the proportion of households confident in their food security rising from 41% in December 2021 to 86% in October 2024.

However, challenges remain in the economy. Agricultural income has not shown the traditional seasonal growth this year, which is a worrying sign. At the same time, real wages have fallen by 23 per cent when adjusted for inflation. But one positive change has been the decline in migration: while 14 per cent of households had a family member working abroad in 2021, in 2024 this proportion has fallen to 8 per cent.

Public opinion shows an increase in confidence in state reforms. According to the survey, 89 per cent of citizens believe that the country is moving in the right direction in the political, social and economic spheres. However, not all reforms receive unequivocal support. For example, the administrative-territorial reform aimed at enlarging aiyl aimags elicited mixed reviews. Only 21 per cent of respondents believe that the reform has fully achieved its goals, especially in rural areas.

At the same time, there are still unresolved problems that continue to worry citizens. The quality of electricity supply remains one of the most pressing issues: 80% of rural residents expressed dissatisfaction with its condition. Also among the main challenges citizens note the rise in prices and lack of jobs.

Despite these challenges, the survey records positive changes in the well-being of the population. Improved food security and lower migration rates indicate that societal and economic reforms are beginning to bear fruit.