BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, October 19. More than 48 billion soms ($537.3 million) were allocated for social protection from Kyrgyzstan's state budget in 2022, which is almost 32 percent more than in 2021, Trend reports.
Data from the State Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan shows that these expenditures accounted for 5 percent of the country's GDP and 15.5 percent of total expenses.
The number of recipients of state allowances exceeded 444,000 individuals at the end of 2022. Nearly 103,000 families, comprising 339,000 individuals, received monthly allowances for low-income families with children. Additionally, more than 105,000 individuals received social allowances.
The number of pension beneficiaries in Kyrgyzstan reached 790,000 individuals as of the end of 2022. The average monthly pension increased from 5,761 soms ($64.50) in 2018 to 8,114 soms ($90.84) in 2022.
Over the past five years, an average of 15 to 20 percent of the state budget's total expenditures, including allocations to the Social Fund, have been directed toward social protection. The annual allocation of funds for this category has consistently increased, according to the statistical committee.