Kyrgyzstan: Every third child lives in poverty
In Kyrgyzstan, 833.9 thousand children under 17 live in poverty, which is 31.8 per cent of the total number of children in the country. This is the data provided by the National Statistical Committee for 2020.
Nurlan (not his real name) is 9 years old, he lives with his mother and sister in a temporary construction in Kara Zhygach residential area of Chui region. His father abandoned them and left for Russia to earn money. He got married there again and left the family without material support.
Nurlan's mother – Mairam – is 40. She is the only breadwinner in the family and has to work at the garment factory all day long. Her work schedule is unstable – once she has orders during the season, she tries to work 10-12 hours a day.
"I often have to work until 10-11 pm. I had tough times during the pandemic. We literally shared the last piece of bread and had no money left. Luckily, the lockdown period was in a warm season – we had lower electricity and hot water bills," Mairam said.
Children try to support her as much as possible. Nurlan attends school and does household chores once he comes back home: he cleans the house, cooks, when possible.
Nurlan's mother – Mairam – is 40. She is the only breadwinner in the family and has to work at the garment factory all day long. Her work schedule is unstable – once she has orders during the season, she tries to work 10-12 hours a day.
"I often have to work until 10-11 pm. I had tough times during the pandemic. We literally shared the last piece of bread and had no money left. Luckily, the lockdown period was in a warm season – we had lower electricity and hot water bills," Mairam said.
Children try to support her as much as possible. Nurlan attends school and does household chores once he comes back home: he cleans the house, cooks, when possible.
"After school, I usually come and start cooking lunch – I could stir fry pasta with onions or I could eat a flatbread and have tea. This is enough for me. I don't play with boys outdoors because I have no time. I want to grow up faster and start working to help my mother. I want to help her now, but she does not let me work and say that I should study," he said.
According to Nazgul Turdubekova, head of "League of Children's Rights Protection", this living standard, which is also called extreme poverty, did not happen overnight.
"This poverty has come from previous generations. In other words, grandparents and parents could not provide better conditions and their children and grandchildren now share this fate. Single mothers are one of the most vulnerable groups. If they don't have education, their situation gets even worse. They have to do low-skill jobs, which worsen both economic and social position," she said.
According to her, it affects children's education, too. Children in such households do not complete middle school. Even if they do, few of them attend vocational technical schools. They start working early to feed their family.
According to Nazgul Turdubekova, head of "League of Children's Rights Protection", this living standard, which is also called extreme poverty, did not happen overnight.
"This poverty has come from previous generations. In other words, grandparents and parents could not provide better conditions and their children and grandchildren now share this fate. Single mothers are one of the most vulnerable groups. If they don't have education, their situation gets even worse. They have to do low-skill jobs, which worsen both economic and social position," she said.
According to her, it affects children's education, too. Children in such households do not complete middle school. Even if they do, few of them attend vocational technical schools. They start working early to feed their family.
The pandemic worsened child poverty
According to the World Bank, in 2020 the poverty rate in Kyrgyzstan increased by 11 per cent, pushing an additional 700 thousand people into poverty.
The overall poverty rate across the country was 25.3 per cent in 2020. In other words, 1.6 million people or every fourth Kyrgyzstani live in poverty. If we look at the situation by regions, it looks as follows:
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According to Nazgul Turdubekova, the child poverty issue was aggravated after the pandemic when many parents lost jobs and source of income. It restricted children's access to social and educational services and to leisure activities, in general.
"Children with disabilities and children of internal migrants who have no permanent residence and income are at risk. Children start working at their early age of 6-7, helping parents to push wheelbarrows, collect garbage, deliver food. During summer, we see that children from poor households miss the opportunity to develop, relax and acquire additional knowledge, sharing the plight with their parents instead," Turdubekova said.
"Children with disabilities and children of internal migrants who have no permanent residence and income are at risk. Children start working at their early age of 6-7, helping parents to push wheelbarrows, collect garbage, deliver food. During summer, we see that children from poor households miss the opportunity to develop, relax and acquire additional knowledge, sharing the plight with their parents instead," Turdubekova said.
How do we measure poverty?
The definition of poverty contains two levels: poverty and extreme poverty.
According to the national methodology, poverty is the minimum income threshold per person. In other words, it is enough to meet minimum needs only. In 2020, the minimum income was 35,268 som (415 dollars) per year or 2,939 som (34.66 dollars) per month.
The extreme poverty or indigence is also the minimum income threshold per person, but nutrition is limited to 2,100 kcal per day. In 2020, it was 19,774 som (233 dollars) per year or 1,648 som (19.43 dollars) per month.
According to the last year data, the number of extremely poor people, i.e. living in indigence, was 59,166 people, including nearly 24 thousand of children, in Kyrgyzstan. This is the highest indicator for the last 5 years.
According to the forecasts of UNICEF and World Bank, 160 to 570 thousand children under 16 could be beyond the poverty line in Kyrgyzstan due to the economic shock, consumer price surge, and reduction of earned income level and cash remittances related to the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to the national methodology, poverty is the minimum income threshold per person. In other words, it is enough to meet minimum needs only. In 2020, the minimum income was 35,268 som (415 dollars) per year or 2,939 som (34.66 dollars) per month.
The extreme poverty or indigence is also the minimum income threshold per person, but nutrition is limited to 2,100 kcal per day. In 2020, it was 19,774 som (233 dollars) per year or 1,648 som (19.43 dollars) per month.
According to the last year data, the number of extremely poor people, i.e. living in indigence, was 59,166 people, including nearly 24 thousand of children, in Kyrgyzstan. This is the highest indicator for the last 5 years.
According to the forecasts of UNICEF and World Bank, 160 to 570 thousand children under 16 could be beyond the poverty line in Kyrgyzstan due to the economic shock, consumer price surge, and reduction of earned income level and cash remittances related to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Every fifth child is undernourished
According to the World Bank, 18 per cent of children in the republic suffer from malnutrition. 22 per cent of child mortality cases have been caused by malnutrition.
According to the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), every 15th Kyrgyzstani and every 7th child is malnourished. And every 35th child under 5 suffers from malnutrition.
If we speak about the quality of nutrition, in 2019 the caloric content of foods consumed by children at the age of 1-17 was 1,914.4 kcal. This is 5.6 kcal below the daily need with the minimum consumption rate of 1,920 kcal. Moreover, the caloric content of food in children aged 1-3 is 322 kcal less than the minimum daily standard for this age group. Consumption of other vital elements such as fats and proteins was below the defined daily need 14 and 19 grams, respectively.
According to the estimates, 13 per cent of children under 5 in Kyrgyzstan are stunted, while 35 per cent of women of reproductive age have anaemia. In rural areas, these indicators are higher.
According to the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), every 15th Kyrgyzstani and every 7th child is malnourished. And every 35th child under 5 suffers from malnutrition.
If we speak about the quality of nutrition, in 2019 the caloric content of foods consumed by children at the age of 1-17 was 1,914.4 kcal. This is 5.6 kcal below the daily need with the minimum consumption rate of 1,920 kcal. Moreover, the caloric content of food in children aged 1-3 is 322 kcal less than the minimum daily standard for this age group. Consumption of other vital elements such as fats and proteins was below the defined daily need 14 and 19 grams, respectively.
According to the estimates, 13 per cent of children under 5 in Kyrgyzstan are stunted, while 35 per cent of women of reproductive age have anaemia. In rural areas, these indicators are higher.
Rural children are forced into labour more often
Nearly 26.7 per cent of all children in Kyrgyzstan are forced into labour, according to official data. Boys (33.6 per cent) are forced into labour more often than girls (19 per cent).
"Children living in rural areas participate in the economic activity more often than children in urban areas. The highest indicator of child labour among regions is seen in Naryn region (40.5 per cent), and the lowest indicators are seen in Bishkek (7.3 per cent) and Osh (6.1 per cent)," according to the National Statistical Committee.
According to the law, children at the age of 16+ may be allowed to work, but this lower age limit could be reduced in the following circumstances:
In the meantime, the Labour Code prohibits to those who are under 18 to be involved into:
"Children living in rural areas participate in the economic activity more often than children in urban areas. The highest indicator of child labour among regions is seen in Naryn region (40.5 per cent), and the lowest indicators are seen in Bishkek (7.3 per cent) and Osh (6.1 per cent)," according to the National Statistical Committee.
According to the law, children at the age of 16+ may be allowed to work, but this lower age limit could be reduced in the following circumstances:
- To 15 in exceptional circumstances, as agreed with the representative body of employees or the authorised state body in the labour market;
- To 14 with a written consent of a parent (a guardian) or a tutorship and guardianship authority for light labour in their free time that is healthy and does not disrupt their education.
In the meantime, the Labour Code prohibits to those who are under 18 to be involved into:
- Child labour that can do harm to health and development,
- Forced child labour regardless of types of ownership,
- Labour in hazardous industries,
- All kinds of labour related to weight lifting.
According to the report of the Strategic Centre for Child Poverty Studies, most of children living in the republic have to work. Nearly 11 per cent of children aged 7 to 17 either work either part time or have seasonal employment.
"Many children skip classes or drop out school as they have to work. Their working conditions are hazardous for their health: many children perform hard work for hours in any weather. They often become the targets of violence or deception from employers or other adults," according to the report.
"Many children skip classes or drop out school as they have to work. Their working conditions are hazardous for their health: many children perform hard work for hours in any weather. They often become the targets of violence or deception from employers or other adults," according to the report.
Nearly 14 per cent of children skip classes throughout the year because of work
In Kyrgyzstan, almost every child aged 7 to 17 officially attends school. However, many children skip classes from time to time. According to the Strategic Centre for Child Poverty Studies, this is caused mainly by a shortage of money. In particular, lack of clothing and footwear, high prices of textbooks and high tuition fees, as well as the need to work.
"Children from poor households more often than rich children skip classes at school because of their health condition (21 per cent of the overall indicator, which is 11 per cent of the total number of children attending schools), because low-income families cannot afford heating in winter and buying medicines," according to the report.
As of the beginning of academic year 2020/2021, the republic had 2.2 thousand day regular schools with 1.3 million students.
According to the National Statistical Committee, the country has a growing number of first-graders who have passed pre-school training – 87 per cent or 131 thousand children.
However, according to the League of Children's Rights Protection Foundation, access to education in Kyrgyzstan has not significantly improved because there are many children who do not attend school.
"Many children drop out school because of poor quality of education or intolerant and unfavourable attitude. Thus, we have an increase in the number of working children, who work at markets and unregulated places with no state control since yearly childhood. They are vulnerable to economic exploitation and will further be because the number of children who drop out school does not decrease," said Nazgul Turdubekova, head of the foundation.
"Children from poor households more often than rich children skip classes at school because of their health condition (21 per cent of the overall indicator, which is 11 per cent of the total number of children attending schools), because low-income families cannot afford heating in winter and buying medicines," according to the report.
As of the beginning of academic year 2020/2021, the republic had 2.2 thousand day regular schools with 1.3 million students.
According to the National Statistical Committee, the country has a growing number of first-graders who have passed pre-school training – 87 per cent or 131 thousand children.
However, according to the League of Children's Rights Protection Foundation, access to education in Kyrgyzstan has not significantly improved because there are many children who do not attend school.
"Many children drop out school because of poor quality of education or intolerant and unfavourable attitude. Thus, we have an increase in the number of working children, who work at markets and unregulated places with no state control since yearly childhood. They are vulnerable to economic exploitation and will further be because the number of children who drop out school does not decrease," said Nazgul Turdubekova, head of the foundation.
Benefits up to 50 dollars
Kyrgyzstan has a valid Programme to Support Families and to Protect Children for 2018-2028, which provides for the payment of state benefits. From October 1, according to the decree of president Sadyr Zhaparov, state benefits will be increased to certain groups of people, namely:
The following benefits are paid to other categories of children:
According to the programme, it was planned to amend the "balaga zholok" benefit (nursing benefit) for children under 3. Until 2018, this kind of benefit was available in the law "On state benefits". Later on, some officials suggested to leave the benefit for targeted lower-income families only. However, the clause was removed from the law in 2018.
Also, the government:
- To children born in mothers living with HIV or AIDS, from 4 thousand to 6 thousand som (47 to 70.7 dollars);
- To children with disabilities from 4 thousand to 6 thousand som (47 to 70.7 dollars);
- To children in case of loss of a parent from 1 thousand to 1 thousand 500 som (11.7 to 17.6 dollars);
- To children in case of loss of both parents from 2 thousand to 3 thousand som (23.5 to 35.3 dollars);
- To persons with disabilities since childhood of 1st group from 4 thousand to 6 thousand som (47 to 70.7 dollars);
- To persons with disabilities since childhood of 2nd group from 3 thousand 300 to 4 thousand 950 som (38.9 to 58.3 dollars);
- To persons with disabilities since childhood of 3rd group from 2 thousand 700 to 4 thousand 50 som (32.4 to 47.7 dollars);
- To children whose parents are unknown from 2 thousand to 3 thousand som (23.5 to 35.3 dollars).
The following benefits are paid to other categories of children:
- from January 2018, all new-born children receive a one-time benefit "balaga suiunchu" in the amount of 4,000 som or 47.18 dollars, regardless of the place of birth. To receive this benefit, parents should apply to a local office of the Ministry of Social Development no later than 6 months after the date of the child's birth.
- "Ui-bulogo komok" benefit is a monthly benefit for low-income households with children under 16. The amount of this benefit is 810 som (9.5 dollars). However, applicants should prove that their income is below 1,000 som (11.8 dollars).
According to the programme, it was planned to amend the "balaga zholok" benefit (nursing benefit) for children under 3. Until 2018, this kind of benefit was available in the law "On state benefits". Later on, some officials suggested to leave the benefit for targeted lower-income families only. However, the clause was removed from the law in 2018.
Also, the government:
- Develops the plan of individual work with households;
- Works to reform the activity of boarding schools for orphans and children left without parental care, including children with disabilities;
- Accredits residential institutions for children;
- Created the database of children in difficult circumstances, including children of migrants;
- Develops the foster care system.
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According to Nazgul Turdubekova, director of the League of Children's Rights Protection Foundation, despite all state support of children in difficult situation, this assistance is lopsided.
"The state performs its obligations to little citizens only in the form of benefits. Their rates need to be increased due to inflation. This approach is not very effective. According to international standards, every child has a right to access educational and developmental services in order to develop fully. However, most of children with disabilities and children from poor households are deprived of this opportunity," said the head of the foundation.
According to her, the national social security of children is based on old laws that do not provide for conditions of social services and facilities development.
"There are no social workers to protect children and to help households and children to overcome difficulties and to keep children in the family at the local level. The main type of assistance to children in difficult situations is their placement in orphanages and boarding schools. They are very expensive and it would be more efficient to allocate the budget intended for orphanages and boarding schools to support household and children," Turdubekova said.
"The state performs its obligations to little citizens only in the form of benefits. Their rates need to be increased due to inflation. This approach is not very effective. According to international standards, every child has a right to access educational and developmental services in order to develop fully. However, most of children with disabilities and children from poor households are deprived of this opportunity," said the head of the foundation.
According to her, the national social security of children is based on old laws that do not provide for conditions of social services and facilities development.
"There are no social workers to protect children and to help households and children to overcome difficulties and to keep children in the family at the local level. The main type of assistance to children in difficult situations is their placement in orphanages and boarding schools. They are very expensive and it would be more efficient to allocate the budget intended for orphanages and boarding schools to support household and children," Turdubekova said.
By
Anara Abdullaeva
Editor
Natalia Lee
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Tolgonai Akimova
This article was prepared as part of the Amplify, Verify, Engage: Information for Democratisation and Good Governance in Eurasia project implemented by IWPR and funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and mentoring program of the Development of New Media and Digital Journalism in Central Asia project implemented by IWPR with the financial support of the UK Government. The content of the article does not reflect the official position of the IWPR, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or the Government of the United Kingdom.
