Population, Social and Economic Indexes The population of the Kyrgyz Republic according to First National Census 1999 datum was 4,822,938 people, 1678623 of whom live in the urban areas and 3144315 in the rural areas. From 1994 to 1998, the total population increased by 264,000 people (natural increase through births of 361,000 people, combined with a migration decrease of 94,000 people). The average annual increase is 1.2%. (Demographic Annual Report of the Kyrgyz Republic, 1998, Bishkek, 1999). Proportion of urban population decreased from 38,2% in 1989 to 34,8% in 1999, but the total amount of urban citizens increased to13,0% in comparison with 1989. Birth and death rates influence the age and sexual makeup of the population. The population of the Kyrgyz Republic is young. Of the total population, 38.9% are the labor age (children and teenagers); 51.4% or 1,802,000 are of labor age; and 9.7% are over labor age range. (Demographic Annual Report of the Kyrgyz Republic, 1998, Bishkek, 1999). Pressure on labor age population is very high. The ratio of non-labor age population to every 1000 people of labor age, was 944 people in 1998. (Demographic Annual Report of the Kyrgyz Republic, 1998, Bishkek, 1999). Of the total population, 49.4% are men and 50.6% are women (1000 men to 1025 women. For every 1,000 men over 70, there are 2,032 women) (Demographic Annual Report of the Kyrgyz Republic, 1998, Bishkek, 1999). The migration process and the varying birth rates among nationalities in the country are changing the national composition. The national compound changed very strong during last years (Tabl.1).

Nationality	Nationality population		Percentage of Nationality population to total population
-	1989	1999	1989	1999
Kyrgyz	2229663	3128147	52.4	64.9
Uzbeks	550096	664950	12.9	13.8
Russian	916558	603201	21.5	12.5
Dungans	36928	51766	0.9	1.1
Ukraine	108027	50442	2.5	1.0
Tatar	70068	45438	1.6	0.9
German	101309	21471	2.4	0.4

2. Cities under oblast subordination:

4. Urban-type settlements (According to National statistics report, population of these setlement belongs to urban. Population of some these settlements is larger than some cities of rayon or oblast subordination )

Recent Census of Kyrgyzstan shows that during the past decade urban-urban migration has become a significant factor in determining the pattern and scale of urbanization in addition to rural migration. Moreover, we can say, that in Kyrgyzstan, the processes of de-urbanization take place from the point of view of changes in urban population,. Certainly, these processes are closely connected with external nationality migration and de-industrialization as a result of break of economic communications of former Soviet Union.
Migration outflow (number of leaving people is more than number of arrived), and tendencies of a natural decrease having a place (number of deaths is more than number of births) as well, lay in the basics reasons of urban population reduction in small cities.
Outflow of the population from small cities and settlements of city type, especially among youth reproductive age, is caused by searches of job. This process has negative consequences both to demographic and social-economic perspectives. Reduction of labor-age population and decrease of professional level because of leaving qualified personnel cause changes in a social composition to increases of persons in a pension age and accordingly increases number of dependents.
Further changes of urban population will depend on scales social and economic development of big and small cities. Positive changes may be achieved on the basis of steady economic growth, rehabilitation, escalating and re-design of industrial enterprises.
National government will continue the development of regional policy directed on alignment of a living standards of the population on the basis of steady economic growth.
Escalating industrial outputs, re-design of industrial enterprises, development of small and medium private enterprises, creation of auxiliary works are seen by the government as the main tools to improve social and economic development of urban population and territory.


Three distinct types of urban settlements are requiring different instruments of intervention:
1.First group. There are two big cities Osh and Biskek of more than 200,000 inhabitants where city governments and elected representatives are taking keen interest to improve the service delivery systems. The previous activity LIFE was concentrated just in these cities. For these cities, accents of activity should be focused on institutionalization , replication and mainstreaming with other urban programmes (Urban Institute, Soros Foundation and etc).
2. The second group of cities unites cities of regional and regional subordination. It is relatively small cities with the population less than 100000 inhabitants. It is easy to have a visible impact in these cities in a relatively short duration. Nevertheless, activity approaches should take into account features of a geographical location, population and ecological conditions in these cities:
-National compound. The Uzbeks whose mentality and community traditions strongly differ from Kyrghyz and Russian make up the significant proportion of the population in cities of the South of republic. A similar situation is in North of republic, where Russian or Russian-language population prevails or makes a significant part in cities.
-Environment. Some of these cities are characterized by critical ecological conditions caused by presence radioactive wastes or tailings of "dirty" industry (production of mercury, lead, antimony, rare-earth elements, coal and etc.).
-Political situation. Some cities are located on state border or in close proximity from it. Naturally, the political intensity will determine or influence conducting activities.
3. The third group of towns consists of urban- type settlements with the population less than 20 000 . The features of this group are similar to second group, but one more factor is added: dependence of viability of such cities from one or two industrial or mining enterprises. The existence of such urban- type settlements is very sensible even to little changes in economic conditions. The LIFE activity in these cities is expedient if there is close connection with the perspective plans of the central government on economy development. There are cities-satellite or suburb of larger city in this group. They are: Chon-Aryk is a suburb of Bishkek, Shamaldy-Say and Kyzyl-Jar which belong to Tash-Komur City Kenesh, Kok-Tash which belong to Mailuu-Suu Kenesh and others.