Experts discussed the way demographics impacts economic trends and investment decisions
Almaty, 26 June 2026.
A session entitled "Demographic Data and Forecasting as a Basis for Investment Decisions: The EDB Member States' Approach" was held on the second day of the EDB's Annual Meeting and Business Forum in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The participants discussed how demographic data and forecasting can be used both for shaping public policy and for selecting investment areas at the company level.
Fabio Losa, Regional Adviser for Demographic Resilience and Policy at the UNFPA Eastern Europe & Central Asia Regional Office, noted that the demographic shift the world is currently experiencing is one of the global economy's megatrends; it impacts labour markets, social support systems, budgets, and migration. Nevertheless, the policy pursued must differ depending on the region: Eastern Europe is experiencing depopulation, while in other European countries, population growth is supported primarily by increased migration - there, it is necessary to overcome labour shortages and maintain the sustainability of pension systems. On the contrary, the countries with growing populations, such as Central Asia, are in need of measures aimed at leveraging the "demographic dividend."
Sevak Sarukhanyan, Director of the EDB's Department of Digital Initiatives, informed that four of the Bank's eight digital projects are indirectly related to demographics: transport modelling in Astana, patient health data exchange, geo-intelligence allowing businesses to identify investment opportunities, and a water management platform for Kazakhstan. "Everyone knows stories about empty airports, so it is important to use accurate demographic forecasts when evaluating infrastructure projects," he added.
Shokhjakhon Yusupov, Head of the Division for Demography, Employment and Living Standards Forecasting of the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan, noted that Uzbekistan accounts for almost half of Central Asia's population, i.e. 38.2 million people, with more than 55% of them being under 30 years of age. By 2050, the country's population could exceed 58 million. The government is already conducting demographic research to plan population demand and is implementing legal literacy training programs.
Irina Bichan, Head of the Demographic Statistics and Population Census Department at the National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus, spoke about the experience of conducting the first digital census in the CIS and the implementation of a project to create a statistical population register that will consolidate data from various departments' databases and serve as a transition to a dynamic population model. Tigran Jrbashyan, Partner at the Ameria Group of Companies, also noted the importance of analysing demographic data (i.e. analysing people and their behaviour) and integrating this kind of research into government planning.
Additional Information:
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) is a multilateral development bank investing in Eurasia. For more than 20 years, the Bank has worked to strengthen and expand economic ties and foster comprehensive development in its member countries. By the end of December 2025, the EDB’s cumulative portfolio comprised 326 projects with a total investment of US $19.6 billion. The Bank's portfolio consists principally of projects with an integration effect in transport infrastructure, digital systems, green energy, agriculture, manufacturing, and mechanical engineering. The Bank’s operations are guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goals and ESG principles.
As part of its 2022–2026 Strategy, the EDB is implementing 3 mega-projects: The Water and Energy Complex of Central Asia, The Eurasian Transport Network, and The Eurasian Commodity Distribution Network.
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