The data from the National Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan indicates a significant demographic shift, with the country’s population nearing the threshold of old age. According to United Nations criteria, a population is classified as young if individuals aged 65 and over constitute less than 4% of the population. A figure between 4% to 7% suggests a population on the cusp of old age, while a percentage above 7 denotes an aged population.
As of early 2023, Kyrgyzstan reported that individuals aged 65 and over accounted for 5.4% of its population, an increase from 4.7% in 2019. This places the nation in the intermediate category, signalling a population transitioning towards old age. The current number of elderly individuals is 378,100, reflecting the broader ageing trend observed across the region.
Comparatively, Kyrgyzstan’s ageing population percentage remains lower than that of other Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries. For instance, both Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have reported an elderly population percentage of 8.5, while the Russian Federation and Belarus each have a significant 16.5%.
Projections suggest that by 2030, the proportion of Kyrgyz citizens aged 65 and over will be near 7%, aligning with the United Nations forecast and marking a definitive shift towards an older demographic. This trend is not isolated to Kyrgyzstan but is part of a broader pattern of population ageing across Central Asia.
The median age in Kyrgyzstan is currently 23.9 years, indicating a relatively young population overall. However, the increasing elderly population poses challenges and opportunities for the nation’s social and economic structures.
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