Evidence for Action:

Highlights

Improvements in education are a critical lever for the Kyrgyz Republic to progress from lower-middle-income to a uppermiddle-income country. The World Bank identify ‘infusion’ – the diffusion of ideas from abroad – as the key factor that determines this phase of economic upgrading. 

Domestic firms need technically skilled workers to make the most of new technologies, yet six out of ten adults in the Kyrgyz Republic have below-minimal proficiency for literacy and numeracy. Attaining these foundational skills depends on effective learning in schools. 

By improving competency-based education, the government will deepen the talent pool required to unlock higher productivity and innovation. Compared to other former Soviet Union countries with available data, the Kyrgyz Republic achieves the lowest learning outcomes – despite progress in recent years – with some peer countries achieving higher learning outcomes whilst spending less on public education (per child). 

This indicates large scope to improve the cost-efficiency and effectiveness of spending. Available resources can be better utilized by improving budget execution, broadening access to alternative forms of preschool, and diversifying teacher training to improve the implementation of the national curriculum.