Kyrgyzstan has a mixed track record in its progress towards achieving the national MDGs. UNDP Kyrgyzstan, in partnership with the country’s government, in 2003 produced the first national report on achievement of the MDGs. This report shows that Kyrgyzstan will most likely achieve its targets on poverty reduction, child mortality reduction, safe drinking water provision and environmental sustainability. However, the available information indicates that significant challenges remain if Kyrgyzstan is to achieve its targets for improving universal basic education, gender equality and maternal health, and combating HIV/AIDS, TB and other infectious diseases.
Although there has been progress towards reducing poverty, inequality and regional disparities have increased. Issues such as labor migration and brain-drain form significant obstacles to equitable poverty reduction in the country.

As of 2005, Kyrgyzstan had an almost 95-percent enrollment rate in basic secondary education but the literacy rates among 14- to 24-year-olds have been declining.

Achieving gender equality remains a serious issue. Since the fall of the Soviet Union, Kyrgyzstan has experienced a deepening of gender inequality. Women constitute 54 percent of the unemployed, and earn only 66 percent of the wages men do. However, there have been some positive developments, especially with regard to involving women in decision-making processes. Today, there are four women among the 23 members of Kyrgyzstan’s government. Also, as a result of special measures meant to ensure gender equality, women currently constitute 24 percent of the Parliament.

Healthcare reform in the Kyrgyz Republic has been in process for 10 years, within the framework of the Manas National Healthcare Reform Project (1996-2005). While the country has an integrated national system for combating HIV/AIDS, TB and other infectious diseases, the country has yet to effectively curb these diseases. Porous borders, increased drug trafficking through the country and uncontrolled labor migration raise the susceptibility of the country to HIV/AIDS, TB and other infectious diseases.
The second MDG progress report will be produced in 2008 and will include an analysis of where the country stands against MDG targets, with special emphasis on disaggregating gender-related data.

UNDP Kyrgyzstan launched a national MDG campaign in 2004 involving the government, the media, and civil society (including NGOs, academia and youth). The next round of MDG advocacy campaigns will be launched in 2008.