Tajikistan poverty rate plummets from 83% to 19% over independence years

Tajikistan has achieved a dramatic reduction in poverty, with the rate falling from 83% in the 1990s to a projected 19% by 2025. First Deputy Prime Minister Khokim Kholikzoda announced this significant social accomplishment at an international conference in Dushanbe.

Kholikzoda, speaking at the "Tajikistan and 35 Years of Independence: Experience of Peacemaking, Multi-Vector Policy and Sustainable Development" conference, emphasized that poverty reduction stands as the nation's greatest social achievement during its years of independence. This progress is underscored by substantial economic growth, with the country's gross domestic product (GDP) soaring from 13.4 million somoni in 1991 to 176.9 billion somoni in 2025. GDP per capita has also seen a remarkable increase, rising from 2.5 somoni to 14.7 thousand somoni.

Further demonstrating the country's economic progress, Kholikzoda reported an average annual economic growth rate of 7.6% over the independence period. To fuel this development, Tajikistan attracted over 670 billion somoni in investments from various sources, including 159 billion somoni in foreign investment. These figures, he stated, reflect the nation's sustained investment attractiveness and a stable economic environment.

The First Deputy Prime Minister also linked these socio-economic advancements to the preservation of peace and national unity. He highlighted Tajikistan's internationally recognized peacemaking efforts, referencing the UN General Assembly's adoption of the resolution "International Decade for the Strengthening of Peace for Future Generations, 2027–2036" initiated by Tajikistan. The conference itself, held on August 25, focused on the country's development outcomes over 35 years of independence.

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It can be said that the greatest social achievement of the country during this period is the reduction of poverty. This indicator has decreased from 83 percent in the 1990s to 19 percent in 2025.