The report of the National Statistical Committee on working hours in Kyrgyzstan showed that the average number of hours actually worked by Kyrgyz people per week is 38.1 hours, which is 1.4 hours less than the established norm of 39.5 hours.

It seems that this hour and a half is not such a big loss. However, if we look at the year, adjusted for holiday weekends, we end up with 70.42 hours of underwork. If we divide this by the average working day of 7.9 hours, we get almost two working weeks a year, which remain unused. And that's without taking into account the one-month vacation, which is required by law.

It is interesting that in the resolution of the Ministry of Labor of 2003, which has already ceased to be in force, the norm on hours worked per week was even higher - 40 hours.

But why do Kyrgyz people not reach the norm? In fact, not all of them. Only 19.3% of workers work 30 hours or less per week, 44.7% work within the norm or even slightly more (31-40 hours), and 35% of citizens work more than 41 hours per week. This variation led to the fact that the average indicator was below the norm.

At the same time, the study shows that women work more often less than the norm in terms of hours. Thus, men on average work 40 hours per week, while women work 35 hours.  As the authors of the document explain, this discrepancy is largely due to the sectoral segmentation of labor. Women prevail in areas such as health care and education, where reduced working hours are in effect by law.

Interesting data is also observed in the difference between urban and rural regions. In urban areas, only 7% of workers work part-time, while in rural areas the proportion is as high as 27%. This reflects both seasonal fluctuations in agriculture and overcrowding of the labor market in rural areas.