2007年-世界发展银行全球_Kyrgyz_Republic___Poverty_Assessment_Volume_2_Labor_Market_Dimensions_of_Poverty_86页_559kb

Kyrgyz Republic Poverty Assessment Summary (Volume II: Labor Market Dimensions of Poverty)

Core Content

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the labor market in the Kyrgyz Republic and its relationship with poverty, focusing on the challenges faced by different population groups and regions. It is based primarily on data from the Kyrgyz Integrated Household Survey (KIHS) 2003 and other relevant sources, and it highlights the structural issues affecting employment and income opportunities.

Main Viewpoints

1. Job-Less Growth and Low-Quality Jobs

• The Kyrgyz Republic has experienced moderate economic growth, largely driven by agriculture and domestic consumption.
• However, this growth has not translated into sufficient job creation, especially in the formal sector.
• The majority of jobs are in the informal sector, and employment opportunities are generally of low quality.
• The poor, young people, the uneducated, women, and non-Kyrgyz ethnic groups are disproportionately affected by limited job access and lower wages.

2. Rural Poverty and Employment

• Rural areas remain the most affected by poverty, with 51% of the population living in poverty in 2005.
• Agricultural growth has contributed to poverty reduction, but the link is weakening.
• Non-farm employment opportunities are limited, and most rural households are engaged in subsistence farming.
• Poor rural households have limited access to assets and face challenges in making productive investments.
• Child labor is common due to high poverty levels and inadequate education access.
• Internal and external migration is a significant source of income for rural families.

3. Urban Labor Markets

• Urban areas have lower poverty rates (30%) compared to rural areas (51%).
• Bishkek is the main urban center, with a high concentration of the urban population.
• The urban poor face greater challenges in accessing good jobs and suffer from more pronounced unemployment and segregation.
• Lack of affordable childcare and elder care services limits women's participation in the labor market.

4. Gender Disparities in the Labor Market

• Women have lower labor force participation and higher unemployment rates than men.
• Female labor force participation is particularly low in the poorest quintiles.
• Women are overrepresented in low-paying sectors such as agriculture, education, and health.
• Earnings differentials in the private formal sector are large and not fully explained by human capital differences, suggesting potential discrimination.
• Education can improve earnings, but it is not a guarantee for escaping poverty.

Key Information

Economic Overview

• The Kyrgyz Republic is the second poorest country in the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region.
• Average per capita income in 2006 was USD 500, significantly lower than the regional average of USD 3,295.
• The economy remains heavily reliant on primary products, with agriculture accounting for one-third of output.

Poverty and Employment Indicators (2003)

• Employment rates: 60% in rural areas, 54% in urban areas.
• Unemployment rates: 8% in rural areas, 13% in urban areas.
• Informal employment: 54% in rural areas, 39% in urban areas.
• Migration rates: 11% of rural working age population, 29% of urban working age population.

Regional Trends

• Unemployment rates have increased in regions such as Bishkek, Naryn, and Batken.
• Participation rates have stagnated or declined, especially in rural areas.
• The capital, Bishkek, has seen some increase in participation rates, but this has been accompanied by rising unemployment.
• Osh and Talas have experienced a decline in unemployment, but with fewer people seeking jobs.

Policy and Structural Issues

• The agricultural sector has shown resilience and growth due to policy reforms.
• However, the informal sector dominates, and labor market regulations are not a major barrier to business operations.
• The Kyrgyz Republic lacks a business-friendly environment, which hampers the creation of "good" jobs.
• There is a need for structural reforms in non-agricultural sectors such as construction, trade, and tourism to support sustained poverty reduction.

Migration and Remittances

• Internal migration, particularly to Bishkek, is common, and external migration to Russia and Kazakhstan also plays a role.
• Workers' remittances have increased significantly between 2002 and 2005, contributing to household income and poverty reduction.

Gender Issues

• Women face significant barriers to employment, including lack of childcare and lower participation rates.
• Female unemployment is higher, and they are more likely to be in low-productivity jobs.
• There is a need for targeted policies to improve women's access to education and training to enhance their employment outcomes.

Conclusions

• The Kyrgyz Republic needs sustained and broad-based growth to reduce poverty.
• Improving the quality of jobs, especially in the formal sector, is critical.
• Addressing gender disparities and enhancing access to education and childcare are essential for labor market inclusion.
• Structural reforms in non-agricultural sectors and better policy frameworks are necessary to support economic development and job creation.