Tajikistan: Poverty Assessment

Poverty is the central development issue in Tajikistan. The country is now one of the poorest in the world, with an estimated per capita GNP of no more than $330 (1997). Poverty is not new in Tajikistan, as the country came to independence with widespread material poverty. That was made worse by the civil conflict in the early 1990s. However, with the cessation of violence in the country, with economic growth having resumed since 1997, and with reforms now being made to restructure the economy, it should be possible to make significant progress in poverty reduction during the coming years.This report suggests that there should be four key pillars to a poverty reduction program strategy:

1. The stimulation of high labor productivity and economic growth;
2. The provision of basic social services;
3. The targeting of assistance to the poorest; and
4. The development of a well-governed and safe environment.

Ultimately, economic growth is the main mechanism to ensure that future generations in Tajikistan will be able to find gainful and highly productive employment and to bring prosperity to all. Thus action on the labor market and on agricultural and rural development policies form the first of the proposed four key pillars for a poverty reduction strategy. However, poor people also need to have sufficient human capital so that they can take advantage of existing and new opportunities. Access to good quality basic schooling and health services is not only a human right, it is also essential for poverty alleviation. The third key pillar of the proposed poverty alleviation strategy concerns the targeting of assistance to the poorest, that is, those people who have special difficulties or needs and for whom targeted assistance is required. An efficient and effective social safety net is also required to facilitate the transition process and to obtain widespread public support for some of the difficult reform decisions (such as public sector retrenchment) which need to be taken. The fourth pillar of the proposed poverty alleviation strategy is the development of a well-governed and safe environment in which people can live and look after themselves.