2001年-世界发展银行全球_Kyrgyz_Republic___Poverty_in_the_1990s_in_the_Kyrgyz_Republic_86页_6mb

Kyrgyz Republic Poverty in the 1990s Summary

Core Content

This report analyzes poverty in the Kyrgyz Republic during the 1990s, focusing on its levels, determinants, and the impact of economic and social factors on the poor. It provides a comprehensive overview of the situation using data from household surveys and highlights the challenges and opportunities for poverty alleviation.

Main Points

• Poverty Trends: Poverty levels increased significantly in the Kyrgyz Republic during the 1990s, particularly after the Russian financial crisis in 1998. Urban poverty rose sharply, while rural poverty also increased, though less so. By 1999, the overall poverty rate was 64.1%, with extreme poverty at 23.3%.
• Economic Context: The country experienced a decline in per capita GDP, especially in dollar terms, from US$392 in 1996 to US$255 in 1999. Despite some economic growth, the distribution of income did not improve, and consumption growth was slower than GDP growth.
• Government Response: The Kyrgyz government is developing two key strategies: the Comprehensive Development Framework (CDF) and the National Strategy for Poverty Reduction (NSPR), to address poverty and promote development.
• Data Sources: The report uses data from the Kyrgyz Poverty Monitoring Survey (KPMS) and the Household Energy Survey (HES), conducted by the National Statistical Committee (NSC). These surveys provide insights into the levels and causes of poverty, as well as the livelihoods and access to services of the poor.
• Livelihoods of the Poor: The poor are largely engaged in self-employment, particularly in the agricultural sector. However, returns from this labor are limited, and many rely on subsistence farming. Wage income is more important for the non-poor, while the urban poor also depend on it.
• Gender Disparities: Women, especially those in extreme poverty, face significant disadvantages in the labor market, with lower earnings compared to men.
• Social Services: The poor face challenges in accessing utilities, education, and health services. They pay a disproportionately high share of their income for these services, and the quality of services is generally lower for them. Subsidies and privileges are regressive, benefiting the non-poor more than the poor.
• Agriculture: Agricultural activities are a primary income source for the poor, but many rely on subsistence farming rather than commercial production. The poor are more likely to grow and sell crops than the non-poor, but the majority of production is not sold, leading to lower income.
• Recommendations: The report recommends that poverty alleviation strategies should be explicitly targeted at the poor, with a focus on improving access to services and reducing the cost burden. Sectoral reforms and rationalization of services are needed, along with policies that address the specific needs of the poor in agriculture and labor markets.

Key Information

Poverty Levels and Inequality

• General Poverty: 64.1% of the population in 1999.
• Extreme Poverty: 23.3% of the population in 1999.
• Poverty Gap: The average shortfall in consumption for the poor was 25%, and for the extreme poor was 7.1%.
• Gini Coefficient: Inequality remained relatively stable, with a Gini coefficient of 0.37 in 1999, indicating moderate inequality.

Economic Situation

• GDP and Consumption: Per capita GDP in constant 1995 prices increased slightly from 1996 to 1999, but in dollar terms, it fell from US$392 to US$255.
• Consumption Growth: Consumption growth was slower than GDP growth, with a mean consumption decline observed in household survey data.
• Impact of Crisis: The Russian financial crisis in 1998 had a severe impact on poverty, particularly in urban areas, where the poverty rate increased by 22 percentage points in one year.

Livelihoods and Employment

• Labor Force Participation: The poor have lower labor force participation rates compared to the non-poor, with women in extreme poverty having the lowest rates.
• Unemployment: Unemployment rates are lowest among the extreme poor, suggesting that unemployment is a "luxury good" for the poor.
• Self-Employment: A large share of the poor are engaged in self-employment, mainly in the agricultural sector. Non-agricultural self-employment is less common.
• Income Sources: The poor rely heavily on agricultural income and subsistence activities, while the non-poor have more diversified income sources.

Issues Affecting the Poor

• Utilities: Access to utilities is limited for the poor, and the quality of services is generally lower. The cost of utilities is a significant burden.
• Health: The poor face higher health costs and lower access to health services. They are more likely to suffer from chronic illnesses and have lower health status.
• Education: The poor, especially the extreme poor, have lower education levels and are more likely to drop out of school. Costs are a key barrier to education access.

Policy Recommendations

• Targeted Assistance: Social assistance programs need to be more effectively targeted at the poor.
• Sectoral Reforms: Reforms in the utility, health, and education sectors are necessary to improve service quality and reduce costs.
• Agricultural Support: Policies should support agricultural productivity and market access for the poor.
• Labor Market Interventions: Programs that consider the different employment patterns of the poor and non-poor will be more effective.
• Pricing Policies: Explicit pricing policies and the reallocation of subsidies to the poorest populations are recommended to alleviate the cost burden.

Conclusion

Poverty in the Kyrgyz Republic during the 1990s was a serious and persistent issue, exacerbated by economic shocks such as the Russian financial crisis. The government is taking steps to address this through the development of the CDF and NSPR, but these strategies must be informed by a deep understanding of the poverty situation, its determinants, and the specific needs of the poor. The report emphasizes the importance of improving access to services, reducing costs, and enhancing productivity in key sectors to effectively alleviate poverty.