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The President: questions and answers

13 questions people ask most often — answered with official statistics. About 3 minutes.

Data as of October 6, 2026

What has changed since 2021?

Sadyr Japarov has been president since 01/28/2021. We collected 13 questions people most often ask about his term and answered them with official statistics — with sources.

Presidents of Kyrgyzstan
  • Akayev: October 27, 1990 — March 24, 2005
  • Bakiyev: March 25, 2005 — April 6, 2010
  • Otunbayeva: April 7, 2010 — November 30, 2011
  • Atambayev: December 1, 2011 — November 23, 2017
  • Jeenbekov: November 24, 2017 — October 15, 2020
  • Japarov: October 16, 2020 — November 13, 2020 (acting)
  • Mamytov: November 14, 2020 — January 27, 2021 (acting)
  • Japarov: January 28, 2021 — present
  • Terms follow the actual dates in power; a year counts for whoever governed more than half of it.
Show the numbers as a table
PresidentFromTo
Akayev10/27/199003/24/2005
Bakiyev03/25/200504/06/2010
Otunbayeva04/07/201011/30/2011
Atambayev12/01/201111/23/2017
Jeenbekov11/24/201710/15/2020
Japarov10/16/202011/13/2020
Mamytov11/14/202001/27/2021
Japarov01/28/2021present
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Sources (3)Data as of 10/06/2026
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Question 1 of 13

Where are the schools?

How many schools do you think were built since 2021?

350
Scale from 0 to 700

308 new schools were built in 2021–2025

new schools, 308, 2021–2025, Preliminary data

change in the desirable direction for this indicator

These are new buildings put into service, according to the National Statistics Committee. The bars show how many school places were added per year under each president.

Previous term (Jeenbekov, 2018–2020): 38 a year; now: 62 a year (+62%).

On average that is 7.7 new schools for each of the country's 40 districts.

New school places per year
  • Akayev1991–20048.1 thousand places
  • Bakiyev2005–20098.3 thousand places
  • Otunbayeva2010–201110.0 thousand places
  • Atambayev2012–201712.7 thousand places
  • Jeenbekov2018–20209.2 thousand places
  • Japarov2021–202516.6 thousand places
  • Average per year of the term
  • Schools commissioned (pupil places)
Show the numbers as a table
PresidentYears with datathousand pupil places
Akayev1991–20048.1 thousand places
Bakiyev2005–20098.3 thousand places
Otunbayeva2010–201110.0 thousand places
Atambayev2012–201712.7 thousand places
Jeenbekov2018–20209.2 thousand places
Japarov2021–202516.6 thousand places
  • New school places in 2021–2025: 82.8 thousand places

Caveats

  • Completions reflect decisions and funding of the previous 1–3 years.
  • Data for 2025 are preliminary.
Sources (10)Data for 2025
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Question 2 of 13

And kindergartens?

How many kindergartens were built since 2021?

300
Scale from 0 to 600

287 new kindergartens opened in 2021–2025

new kindergartens, 287, 2021–2025, Preliminary data

change in the desirable direction for this indicator

New kindergarten buildings put into service (National Statistics Committee).

Previous term (Jeenbekov, 2018–2020): 45 a year; now: 57 a year (+28%).

Today about one in 3 children aged 1–6 attends kindergarten (34.7%); in 2020 it was one in 5.

New kindergarten places per year
  • Akayev1991–2004405 places
  • Bakiyev2005–2009231 places
  • Otunbayeva2010–2011795 places
  • Atambayev2012–20171,727 places
  • Jeenbekov2018–20202,925 places
  • Japarov2021–20254,617 places
  • Average per year of the term
  • Kindergartens commissioned (places)
Show the numbers as a table
PresidentYears with dataplaces
Akayev1991–2004405 places
Bakiyev2005–2009231 places
Otunbayeva2010–2011795 places
Atambayev2012–20171,727 places
Jeenbekov2018–20202,925 places
Japarov2021–20254,617 places
  • New kindergarten places in 2021–2025: 23,085 places

Caveats

  • Completions reflect decisions and funding of the previous 1–3 years.
  • Data for 2025 are preliminary.
Sources (10)Data for 2025
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Question 3 of 13

And hospitals?

Hospitals gained 2,672 beds in 2021–2025

new hospital beds, 2,672 beds, 2021–2025, Preliminary data

change in the desirable direction for this indicator

New hospital beds in built and expanded hospitals (National Statistics Committee).

Previous term (Jeenbekov, 2018–2020): 363 beds a year; now: 534 beds a year (+47%).

New hospital beds per year
  • Akayev1991–2004242 beds
  • Bakiyev2005–2009100 beds
  • Otunbayeva2010–2011140 beds
  • Atambayev2012–2017353 beds
  • Jeenbekov2018–2020363 beds
  • Japarov2021–2025534 beds
  • Average per year of the term
  • Hospitals commissioned (beds)
Show the numbers as a table
PresidentYears with databeds
Akayev1991–2004242 beds
Bakiyev2005–2009100 beds
Otunbayeva2010–2011140 beds
Atambayev2012–2017353 beds
Jeenbekov2018–2020363 beds
Japarov2021–2025534 beds
  • New hospitals in 2021–2024: 51
  • New polyclinics, family medicine centres and rural health posts in 2021–2025: 282

Caveats

  • Completions reflect decisions and funding of the previous 1–3 years.
  • Data for 2025 are preliminary.
Sources (6)Data for 2025
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Question 4 of 13

And roads?

835 km of roads were put into service in 2021–2024

of roads put into service, 835 km, 2021–2024

change in the desirable direction for this indicator

New and rebuilt roads put into service, as counted by the National Statistics Committee.

Previous term (Jeenbekov, 2018–2020): 134 km a year; now: 209 km a year (+55%).

Roads put into service per year, km
  • AkayevNo data
  • BakiyevNo data
  • OtunbayevaNo data
  • Atambayev2013–2017190 km
  • Jeenbekov2018–2020134 km
  • Japarov2021–2024209 km
  • Average per year of the term
  • Paved roads commissioned (National Statistics Committee)
Show the numbers as a table
PresidentYears with datakm
AkayevNo dataNo data
BakiyevNo dataNo data
OtunbayevaNo dataNo data
Atambayev2013–2017190 km
Jeenbekov2018–2020134 km
Japarov2021–2024209 km

Caveats

  • Completions reflect decisions and funding of the previous 1–3 years.
  • The National Statistics Committee counts roads put into service, not kilometres repaired. The series starts in 2013; 2025 data are not out yet.
  • No data for 2025.
Sources (12)Data for 2024
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Question 5 of 13

Is everything built in Bishkek?

12 of 32 major projects are finished, 12 more are under way

of 32 major projects finished, 12, Data as of 10/06/2026

Roads, hydropower plants, power lines, gas pipelines and airports in 9 regions. 15 projects were started under the current president.

15 of 32 projects were started under the current president.

32 major projects on the map
Batken RegionJalal-Abad RegionIssyk-Kul RegionNaryn RegionOsh RegionTalas RegionChüy RegionBishkekOsh cityBishkekOsh city
  • Finished (12)
  • Under construction (12)
  • Other stages (8)

Hover over or tap a dot to see the project

  • This is the section's register of major projects, not every construction site in the country. Dots mark the approximate place (district or settlement).
  • Boundaries: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)
Show the numbers as a table
ProjectStatus
Альтернативная автодорога Север — Юг (Балыкчы — Арал — Казарман — Джалал-Абад)Partly open, preparation or financing
Реабилитация автодороги Бишкек — Нарын — Торугарт (коридор ЦАРЭС 1)Finished
Реабилитация автодороги Ош — Сары-Таш — ИркештамFinished
Реабилитация автодороги Ош — Баткен — Исфана (участки, кредит Эксимбанка) и участка Бишкек — БалыкчыFinished
Реабилитация автодороги Бишкек — Ош (три займа АБР, 1996–2001)Finished
Реконструкция автодороги Бишкек — Кара-Балта (Бишкек — Ош, фаза 4 ЦАРЭС-3)Partly open, preparation or financing
Реконструкция автодороги Балыкчы — Корумду (север Иссык-Куля)Under construction
Реконструкция участка Корумду — Балбай Баатыр Иссык-Кульской кольцевой дороги (км 104–184,5)Under construction
Реконструкция автодороги Балыкчы — Бөкөнбаев — Каракол (юг Иссык-Куля)Under construction
Улучшение Иссык-Кульской кольцевой дороги: участок Барскоон — Каракол (АБР)Partly open, preparation or financing
Строительство автодороги Барскоон — КПП «Бедел»Under construction
Реконструкция автодороги Суусамыр — Талас — ТаразPartly open, preparation or financing
Железная дорога Китай — Кыргызстан — УзбекистанUnder construction
Железная дорога Балыкчы — Кочкор (1-й этап линии Балыкчы — Кара-Кече — Макмал)Finished
Камбар-Атинская ГЭС-2Partly open, preparation or financing
Камбар-Атинская ГЭС-1Partly open, preparation or financing
Казарманский каскад ГЭС (Ала-Буга, Кара-Булун-1, Кара-Булун-2)Under construction
Реконструкция Токтогульской ГЭСFinished
Реконструкция Уч-Курганской ГЭСUnder construction
Кара-Кульская ГЭС (частная)Finished
Солнечная электростанция в Кеминском районе (первая крупная СЭС)Finished
СЭС ROX Issyk-KulPartly open, preparation or financing
Модернизация ТЭЦ БишкекаFinished
Улучшение электроснабжения юга: ПС 500 кВ «Датка» и ЛЭП 220 кВFinished
ЛЭП 500 кВ «Датка — Кемин» и ПС 500 кВ «Кемин»Finished
CASA-1000: ЛЭП 500 кВ Датка — Согд (кыргызская часть)Partly open, preparation or financing
Расширение аэровокзала аэропорта «Манас»Under construction
Новый терминал аэропорта «Ош»Under construction
Новый терминал аэропорта Джалал-АбадUnder construction
Новый терминал аэропорта «Иссык-Куль» (Тамчы)Under construction

Caveats

  • This is the section's register of major projects, not every construction site in the country. Dots mark the approximate place (district or settlement).
Sources (54)Data as of 10/06/2026
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Question 6 of 13

What about my region?

New schools were built in all 9 regions in 2021–2025

of 9 regions built schools, 9, 2021–2025, Preliminary data

Tap your region: schools, kindergartens, beds, housing, wages and poverty.

96% of new schools were built outside Bishkek.

New schools by region, 2021–2025
Batken RegionJalal-Abad RegionIssyk-Kul RegionNaryn RegionOsh RegionTalas RegionChüy RegionBishkekOsh cityBishkekOsh city

Tap a region on the map or in the list

  • Boundaries: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)
Show the numbers as a table
RegionValue
Osh Region74
Jalal-Abad Region63
Batken Region53
Issyk-Kul Region34
Naryn Region26
Chüy Region23
Talas Region15
Bishkek13
Osh city7

Caveats

  • Completions reflect decisions and funding of the previous 1–3 years.
  • Data for 2025 are preliminary.
Sources (6)Data for 2025
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Question 7 of 13

Are wages growing?

What grew more since 2020?

The average wage grew 2.2 times from 2020 to 2025 — faster than prices

average monthly wage, KGS 42,493 per month, 2025

change in the desirable direction for this indicator

Prices rose by about 60% over the same period.

In dollars: $245 per month in 2020 → $486 per month in 2025.

The average wage now buys 40% more than in 2020.

Average monthly wage
Show the numbers as a table
PeriodValue
2020KGS 18,940 per month
2025KGS 42,493 per month

Caveats

  • Growth adjusted for prices is a news.kg calculation based on average annual inflation from the National Statistics Committee.
Sources (3)Data for 2025
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Question 8 of 13

And prices?

How many soms did something costing 100 in 2020 cost in 2025?

200
Scale from 100 to 300

What cost 100 soms in 2020 cost about KGS 160 in 2025

instead of 100 soms in 2020, KGS 160, 2021–2025

change in the undesirable direction for this indicator

That is how much prices of goods and services rose on average, according to the National Statistics Committee.

From 2020 to 2025, wages grew 2.2 times — faster than prices: the average wage buys 40% more.

What used to cost 100 soms
  • news.kg calculation: average annual inflation compounded year by year.
Show the numbers as a table
YearValue
2020KGS 100
2025KGS 160
  • Inflation in 2025: 8.2%.
  • In 2026, Jan–Aug, prices rose 10.9% year on year.

Caveats

  • news.kg calculation: average annual inflation compounded year by year.
Sources (3)Data as of 08/31/2026
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Question 9 of 13

Are fewer people poor?

Poverty rate: 24.0% in 2025 — lower than in 2020 (25.3%)

of the population live below the poverty line, 24.0%, 2025

change in the desirable direction for this indicator

Share of the population below the national poverty line, according to the National Statistics Committee.

Since its 2021 peak (33.3%), the poverty rate has been falling: 24.0% in 2025 (−9.3 pp).

Before the pandemic, in 2019, it was 20.1% — 3.9 pp to go to get back to that level.

Poverty rate, % of population
  • 2020— Pandemic
  • 2021— Peak: 33.3%
Show the numbers as a table
YearValue
201532.1%
201625.4%
201725.6%
201822.4%
201920.1%
202025.3%
202133.3%
202233.2%
202329.8%
202425.7%
202524.0%
  • change in the desirable direction for this indicatorUnemployment: 6.0% in 2020 → 3.5% in 2025.
Sources (2)Data for 2025
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Question 10 of 13

Is the economy growing?

The economy grew by 9.2% a year on average (2021–2025)

average annual GDP growth, 9.2%, 2021–2025, Preliminary data

change in the desirable direction for this indicator

This is real GDP growth, excluding price increases.

Faster than under any of the 5 previous presidents.

The economy is 1.55 times larger than in 2020.

Average annual GDP growth per term
  • Akayev1991–2004−1.6%
  • Bakiyev2005–20094.5%
  • Otunbayeva2010–20112.7%
  • Atambayev2012–20174.6%
  • Jeenbekov2018–20200.3%
  • Japarov2021–20259.2%
  • Average annual rate for the term
  • Real GDP growth
Show the numbers as a table
PresidentYears with data% year on year
Akayev1991–2004−1.6%
Bakiyev2005–20094.5%
Otunbayeva2010–20112.7%
Atambayev2012–20174.6%
Jeenbekov2018–20200.3%
Japarov2021–20259.2%

Caveats

  • In 2020 the economy shrank (pandemic), so the next year's growth is measured from a low base.
  • Data for 2025 are preliminary.
Sources (2)Data for 2025
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Question 11 of 13

Has the national debt grown?

How has external debt changed relative to the size of the economy since 2020?

External debt grew by only $1.0B; most of the growth is som borrowing at home

external debt to GDP, 19.4% of GDP, as of 06/30/2026, Partial period, Recalculated by news.kg

change in the desirable direction for this indicator

Domestic debt is government bonds in soms sold at home; external debt is loans from abroad, almost all of them concessional.

Relative to the economy, debt fell: 63.6% of GDP in 2020 → 37.5% as of 06/30/2026, below the government strategy ceiling (70%).

99.4% of domestic debt is treasury bonds in soms. 98.6% of external debt is concessional loans, 92.4% at a fixed rate of up to 2.9% a year (as of 12/31/2024).

Public debt: external and domestic, $ billion
  • Total public debt as of 06/30/2026: $10.1B (end of 2020: $4.9B).
Show the numbers as a table
PartEnd of 202006/30/2026Increase
External debt$4.2B$5.2B+$1.0B
Domestic debt (in soms)$0.7B$4.9B+$4.2B
Total$4.9B$10.1B+$5.2B
  • Increase since the end of 2020: +$4.2B domestic (81% of the increase), +$1.0B external (including $0.7B of 2025 Eurobonds).
  • Debt structure as of 06/30/2026: 48% domestic, 52% external.
Sources (5)Data as of 06/30/2026
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Question 12 of 13

Is there enough of our own power?

Not yet, but in 2025 the first solar plants came online: 100 MW

solar power capacity, 100 MW, 2025

change in the desirable direction for this indicator

The country still buys some electricity abroad, but its own capacity is growing.

Consumption grew 24% from 2020 to 2025: one in 5 kilowatt-hours is still bought abroad.

After the 2023 dip, domestic generation grew 11%: 15,420 GWh in 2025.

Domestic power generation
Show the numbers as a table
YearValue
201513,017 GWh
201613,118 GWh
201715,430 GWh
201815,728 GWh
201915,115 GWh
202015,404 GWh
202115,138 GWh
202213,883 GWh
202313,839 GWh
202414,736 GWh
202515,420 GWh
  • change in the desirable direction for this indicatorIn 2026: already 275 MW of solar plants (news.kg calculation from commissioning reports).
  • change in the desirable direction for this indicatorNew small hydropower plants, according to the authorities: 8 in 2024, 8 in 2025.

Caveats

  • Solar plants: only large plants whose commissioning was reported; small and rooftop installations are not counted.
  • Net imports = electricity imports minus exports (calculated from National Statistics Committee data).
Sources (7)Data for 2025
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Question 13 of 13

Was it better before?

Of 11 indicators, 9 are better than in the previous term and 2 are worse

of 11 indicators are better, 9, 2018–2020 → 2021–2025

change in the desirable direction for this indicator

We compare 2021–2025 with the previous term (Jeenbekov, 2018–2020) using the same rule for every number.

From 2020 to 2025, wages grew 2.2 times — faster than prices: the average wage buys 40% more. Since its 2021 peak (33.3%), the poverty rate has been falling: 24.0% in 2025 (−9.3 pp).

2021–2025 versus 2018–2020 (Jeenbekov)
  • Better (9)
  • Worse (2)
  • “Better” means a change in the direction that is desirable for people: more construction and growth, less poverty, inflation and debt relative to GDP. It describes the direction of the number, not the president.
Show the numbers as a table
IndicatorChange
School places: 9.2 thousand places → 16.6 thousand places (+79%)for the better
Kindergarten places: 2,925 places → 4,617 places (+58%)for the better
Hospital beds: 363 beds → 534 beds (+47%)for the better
Housing completed: 1,252 thousand m² → 1,554 thousand m² (+24%)for the better
Roads completed: 134 km → 209 km (+55%)for the better
GDP growth: 0.3% → 9.2% (+8.9 pp)for the better
Average wage, $: $245 per month → $486 per month (+99%)for the better
Inflation: 3.0% → 9.9% (+6.9 pp)for the worse
Poverty rate: 22.6% → 29.2% (+6.6 pp)for the worse
Unemployment: 5.3% → 4.1% (−1.2 pp)for the better
Gov. debt to GDP: 63.6% of GDP → 39.5% of GDP (−24.1 pp)for the better
  • change in the desirable direction for this indicatorSchool places: 9.2 thousand places → 16.6 thousand places (+79%)
  • change in the desirable direction for this indicatorKindergarten places: 2,925 places → 4,617 places (+58%)
  • change in the desirable direction for this indicatorHospital beds: 363 beds → 534 beds (+47%)
  • change in the desirable direction for this indicatorHousing completed: 1,252 thousand m² → 1,554 thousand m² (+24%)
  • change in the desirable direction for this indicatorRoads completed: 134 km → 209 km (+55%)
  • change in the desirable direction for this indicatorGDP growth: 0.3% → 9.2% (+8.9 pp)
  • change in the desirable direction for this indicatorAverage wage, $: $245 per month → $486 per month (+99%)
  • change in the undesirable direction for this indicatorInflation: 3.0% → 9.9% (+6.9 pp)
  • change in the undesirable direction for this indicatorPoverty rate: 22.6% → 29.2% (+6.6 pp)
  • change in the desirable direction for this indicatorUnemployment: 5.3% → 4.1% (−1.2 pp)
  • change in the desirable direction for this indicatorGov. debt to GDP: 63.6% of GDP → 39.5% of GDP (−24.1 pp)

Caveats

  • The terms differ in length: 3 full years versus 5 years, so we compare per-year averages, rates and end-of-term levels.
  • The previous term (Jeenbekov) included the 2020 pandemic.
  • “Better” means a change in the direction that is desirable for people: more construction and growth, less poverty, inflation and debt relative to GDP. It describes the direction of the number, not the president.
Sources (21)Data for 2025
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What you learned

The President: questions and answers

What you learned

The strongest numbers from 13 answers, in brief. Context and caveats are on each card.

All figures come from official statistics and documents; details, charts and methodology are in the “President” section.

What the data does not cover

  • The section's data contain no figures on pensions, so there is no question about pensions here.
  • The section's data contain no comparison with neighbouring countries; we compare with Kyrgyzstan's previous presidents.
Learn moreStart over
Sources (27)Data as of 10/06/2026