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Changes in the structure, distribution,
and size of the Kyrgyz population are interlinked with all facets of sustainable
national development. UNFPA supports the Kyrgyz government in tracking
these changes and analysing population trends in order to generate an
adequate political response. The Fund also aims at integrating population
and development strategies into national, regional and global planning.
Situation analysis - Population growth
and poverty
Kyrgyzstan 's transition to a market economy has been marked by 2 trends:
population growth and poverty.
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In 2001, the population of the Kyrgyzstan was 4.9
million people. In 2005, this number is estimated to 5.3 million.
The fragile economy of the country is constantly put under pressure
by unsupportive population trends. The slow economic development
fails to create new jobs needed, especially for young people willing
to start a professional life.
Moreover, the obsolete infrastructure is no longer adequate for
the size of the population. This effect is amplified by increased
urban migration. It is estimated that the capital city, Bishkek,
has about 1 million inhabitants, while the infrastructure is designed
for 500'000 people. |
Population growth has been paralleled by an increasing level of poverty.
About half of the population in Kyrgyzstan lives today below the poverty
line.
In 2001, the government adopted a comprehensive development framework,
which aims to halve poverty levels by 2010. This document, as well as
the National Poverty Reduction Strategy, currently in revision, contain
key objectives of the ICPD Programme of Action. But such programmes suffer
from inaccurate knowledge of population development strategies, as well
as budgetary limitations.
Key Indicators on Population and Development
| Total
population (2005): |
5.3 million |
| Average
population growth: |
1.2% |
| Gross
National Income per capita (USD with purchasing power parity) |
1'660 |
| People
living in extreme poverty: |
INSERT NUMBER |
On the ground, UNFPA is.
. improving population data collection
and analysis, through:
- Trainings for the National Statistical Committee at national and provincial
level
- Capacity-building for universities and academic institutions on applied
demography
. supporting national research in the
area of population and development, through:
- Design and implementation of population surveys
- Funding for academic studies and publications
- Participation in the 'mapping of the poor' exercise undertaken by
the Government
. building national support for international
and national population development strategies, through:
- Participation and provision of 'know-how' in drafting or revising
poverty reduction strategy documents
- Trainings for NGOs, government officials and community leaders on
development frameworks, such as the ICPD Programme of Action
- Partnerships with the media in order to raise broad public awareness
of population and development issues
| Excerpt
from the ICPD Programme of Action 1994 |
| .the objective
is to facilitate the demographic transition as soon as possible in
countries where there is an imbalance between demographic rates and
social, economic and environmental goals, while fully respecting human
rights. This process will contribute to the stabilization of the world
population, and, together with changes in unsustainable patterns of
production and consumption, to sustainable development and economic
growth. (Paragraph 6.3) |
In Focus: Working with the media to
promote population and development strategies
Governments, organizations of
the United Nations system and major groups, in particular non-governmental
organizations, should give the widest possible dissemination to the ICPD
Programme of Action and should seek public support for the goals, objectives
and actions of the Programme of Action.
- Excerpt from the ICPD Programme of Action
1994 ( Paragraph 16.8)
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In order to increase awareness of the ICPD Programme
of Action, UNFPA initiated dialogue with the Kyrgyz national media.
Various media representatives from the capital and the regions have
been trained to understand and advocate for the themes covered by
the ICPD Programme of Action.
In 2004, UNFPA run a training where representatives from the media
and non-governmental organizations came together to get familiar
with ICPD and find best ways to advocate for it. In 2005, media
representatives were trained to become ICPD resource persons in
their regions. Today, UNFPA has a network of 18 journalists committed
to ICPD in all regions of Kyrgyzstan and regularly appeals to them
for specific awareness-raising campaigns. |
Approximate annual budget,
from regular resources: USD 100'000
If you want to know more about
UNFPA action in linking population and developing issues globally, check
our global
website.
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