One of the important characteristics of the Kyrgyz labor market is the fast-growing working population, which is underpinned by the country’s high birth rate. Youth comprise 51% of “supply” in the labor market. One of the important characteristics of the Kyrgyz labor market is the growing working population, which is underpinned by the country’s high birth rate.

Most employed workers live in rural areas (65%). Around 38% of all employed youth work in the agricultural sector, which is characterized by seasonal work and low salaries. Kyrgyz Republic has one of the cheapest labor force in the region. As in other former Soviet states, the literacy rate remains high – over 99% for both males and females.

The employed population of the country has a high level of education, which is conditioned by the existing educational system. The structure of employment in general is characterized by a clear dominance of agriculture, which accounts to 29.3% of all employed (in conjunction with forestry and fish farming). The agriculture sector absorbs the largest portion of Kyrgyz Republic’s young workers (39.4% of young male workers and 55.1% of young female workers),