Poverty Reduction

Central and West Asia

Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are relatively new member countries of the ADB. Poverty in this region is related more to the $2 poverty line. With comparatively high standards of human development achieved earlier, their current state of poverty is particularly characterized by declining living conditions and lack of pro-poor growth.

ADB's poverty reduction assistance program in Central Asia focuses more on rural development, regional infrastructure, education, social protection, and rehabilitation of drinking water and sanitation facilities.

In contrast, poverty in Pakistan and Afghanistan covers a wider spectrum, manifesting in low human development achievements, wide-spread inequality, and high insecurity. This requires a broader assistance program comprising support to economic infrastructure (transport, energy, finance), education and health, as well as agriculture and small enterprise development.

View ADB's knowledge products and operational expertise on addressing poverty and promoting Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Central and West Asia.