JSPES, Vol. 47, No. 3-4 (Fall-Winter 2023)
pp. 333-352

Impact of the Pandemic on Socio-Economic Development as Exemplified by the Kyrgyz Republic and Its Membership of the EAEU

Gulnaz Kanafina
Aimen Kurmangali
Lyazat Matakbayeva
Asel Baiturbayeva
Sorbonne-Kazakhstan Institute

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused political, economic and social disorder around the world and it has been especially hard in the socio- economic sphere of developing countries. With regard to the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the aim of the current study is to identify, firstly, socio-economic developmental trends, differences and vulnerabilities effected through transformational economic processes and other impacts of the pandemic, and, secondly, urgent tasks, directions and conditions for improving social policy, taking into account the historical communities, differentiated national characteristics and challenges of Covid-19. In terms of a range of indicators of development, comparative and systematic analysis reveals that standard of living and social security in the Kyrgyz Republic last among EAEU member states. The Kyrgyz Republic has committed to the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Agenda for the period up to 2030, joining a global effort to “leave no one behind,” with special focus on most vulnerable populations. Taking into account socio-economic development, challenges posed by the Covid-19 crisis, various UN documents, and a summary of research from across the world’s scientific community, the authors develop scientifically developed recommendations for socio-economic development and interethnic economic integration..