Country Context
Kyrgyz Republic | 2021 |
Population, million | 6.7 |
GDP, current $ billion | 8.5 |
GDP per capita, current $ | 1,275.9 |
Life Expectancy at Birth, years | 71.6 |
The Kyrgyz Republic is a land-locked, lower-middle-income country. It has rich endowments, including minerals, forests, arable land, and pastures, and has significant potential for the expansion of its agriculture sector, hydroelectricity production, and tourism industry.
The country has experienced instability since its independence in 1991. Corruption and nepotism were major stress factors underlying revolts that deposed presidents in 2005, 2010, and 2020. Mr. Sadyr Japarov, who came to power following political unrest in October 2020, was elected president in January 2021 with 80 percent of the vote and pledged to tackle crime and corruption while establishing order in the country. The presidential form of government has been consolidated, and a government structure with clear lines of authority and reporting has been established. Parliamentary elections took place in November 2021.
The Kyrgyz economy is vulnerable to external shocks owing to its heavy dependence on remittances (30 percent of GDP) and gold production (about 10 percent of GDP and 35 percent of exports). Strong and sustainable economic growth requires institutional strengthening and policies to develop the private sector, spur international trade, and encourage fiscally sustainable energy production.