Description:
Despite Tajikistan's sustained
economic growth of the past few years and the country's
notable achievements, poverty and low standards of living
remain a pressing problem for the majority of Tajik people.
Poverty reduction is therefore one of the priority goals of
the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, of its
national and international partners, and of Tajik society as
a whole. This report presents a comprehensive analysis of
poverty in Tajikistan using the most recent Tajikistan
Living Standards Survey (TLSS) data, which is for 2007. The
report provides an in-depth analysis of poverty dynamics
(since 2003); a poverty profile; the linkages between labor
markets, migration, and poverty; the importance of social
transfers for poverty alleviation; and the key issues in the
health and education sectors. The report also simulates
possible poverty impacts from the reduction in migration and
remittances related to the global financial crisis. The
report shows that migration and remittances are a
significant factor in the observed improvements in living
standards between 2003 and 2007. However, the expected
reduction in migration and remittances due to the financial
crisis is likely to result in increased poverty levels,
vulnerability, and higher income inequality, at least in the
short term.