† Determined by national law or regulation as hazardous and, as such, relevant to Article 3(d) of ILO C. 182.
‡ Child labor understood as the worst forms of child labor per se under Article 3(a)–(c) of ILO C. 182.

Children at Higher Risk

Children left behind by parents seeking work abroad, particularly girls, are especially vulnerable to commercial sexual exploitation and may be targeted by traffickers. NGOs report that more than 85 percent of children trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation are left-behind children. In addition, within the Kyrgyz Republic, these children have been identified engaging in child labor in markets. Children from rural and low-income families and those in the child welfare system, including orphans, are also at higher risk of being subjected to human trafficking. There are no shelters specifically for child survivors of human trafficking, meaning they are sometimes placed in orphanages where they may be at higher risk of re-victimization. Additionally, the practice of "bride kidnapping" puts girls at higher risk of forced marriage and possible subsequent forced labor or human trafficking into commercial sexual exploitation.

Barriers to Education Access

In the Kyrgyz Republic, documentation requirements for school registration continue to prevent some children from enrolling in schools. Some children cannot access their birth certificates or guardianship documents, which are required for school enrollment. During the reporting period, the Ministry of Digital Development, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Labor, Social Security, and Migration, launched a digital project to ensure complete registration of newborns to ensure their access to schools and other social services. Children living in rural areas and those with disabilities also have difficulty accessing education due to a lack of adequate facilities. However, in 2024, $16.4 million (1.4 billion soms) was allocated from the national budget for the construction and renovation of educational institutions, and at least 23 new schools and 17 kindergartens were opened. In rare cases, some parents prevent children, especially girls, from attending school for religious reasons or require older children to miss school to care for their younger siblings. Children living in state institutions or orphanages are more likely to leave school due to violence or the need to earn money.

‡ Age calculated based on available information

The Kyrgyz Republic's labor law governing the minimum age for work is not in compliance with international standards because according to Article 6 of the Labor Code, protections granted in the Labor Code, such as the minimum age for employment, are not extended to children engaged in non-contractual employment. In addition, as the minimum age for work stated in the Labor Code is lower than the compulsory education age, children may be encouraged to leave school before the completion of compulsory education. Further, the government does not have a list of permitted light work activities. Finally, although Articles 166–168 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic criminalize involving a minor in commercial sexual exploitation, no law clearly criminalizes the users (clients) of prostitution involving children.

In 2024, fewer than 50 labor inspectors conducted 801 inspections between January and September, finding an unknown number of child labor violations. It is also unknown whether investigations into suspected cases of the worst forms of child labor were conducted, prosecutions were initiated, or perpetrators were convicted.

‡ Program is funded by the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic.
† The government had other social programs that may have included the goal of eliminating or preventing child labor.

Download the 2024 Bibliography