Published
07/02/2026, 12:42The number of people officially registered as unemployed in Kyrgyzstan is gradually falling. According to the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Migration, as of 1 May 2026, 38,700 people were registered with employment services. This is 18.2 per cent fewer than a year earlier. Overall, the number of unemployed citizens seeking work through state bodies has also fallen to 60,200.
The decline has been recorded across almost the entire country, but the rate varies significantly from region to region. For example, in the Batken Region, the number of registered unemployed fell by more than 40 per cent, whilst the Chui Region and Bishkek have also seen a marked reduction. In the city of Osh, however, the figure has actually risen – up 12.8 per cent on last year.
Traditionally, the highest number of registered unemployed is found in the Osh region – 10.8 thousand people – and the Jalal-Abad region – 9.9 thousand people. The lowest figures are in the Naryn and Issyk-Kul regions. Almost half of all registered unemployed people are women, accounting for 45.9 per cent.
The ministry notes that the registered unemployment rate in the country remains low, standing at 1.4 per cent of the labour force. However, the statistics only reflect those who have registered with employment services, meaning that the actual situation in the labour market may be broader and more complex than the official figures suggest.
