Bishkek, Feb. 26, 2026 /Kabar/. One of the persistent problems in promoting employment in Kyrgyzstan remains the limited access of young people to stable work, despite the fact that citizens aged 16 to 35 (approximately 35% of the population) are a significant economic resource.
According to the Ministry of Labor, if effectively integrated into the labor market, young people can accelerate GDP growth, expand the tax base, and develop new industries. Otherwise, informal employment and external labor migration increase.
It is noted that a study of the youth employment segment, commissioned by the Ministry of Labor and involving 2,500 employers and 50 educational institutions, identified a number of problems in the youth employment system.
The first factor is business structure. About 83% of enterprises are small. These companies lack the resources for long-term mentoring and internal training. Employers need employees who can immediately integrate into the workforce, without a lengthy adaptation period.
The second factor is the discrepancy between expectations and actual demand. More than 75% of employers note a high interest among young people in IT and digital fields. However, actual employment in the economy is primarily generated in trade, food production, and the textile industry. As a result, the supply of young professionals is concentrated in certain sectors, while employer demand is concentrated in others.
The third barrier is a shortage of applied skills. In some regions, over 70% of companies report a lack of practical experience among job seekers. A diploma doesn't compensate for a lack of skills in accounting software, cost estimates, or contracts. Employers value not so much theoretical knowledge as the ability to perform specific tasks.
Expectations are also important. Many young professionals aim for a starting salary in the range of 60,000–80,000 soms. Businesses, especially small ones, offer a different model—gradual salary increases as skills are mastered.
This creates a vicious cycle: without experience, it's difficult to get a job, and without work, it's impossible to gain experience.