Bishkek included in list of cities with low living standards

Bishkek was included in the list of cities with low living standards. The Independent reported.

The newspaper published a rating based on a report, drawn up by Mercer consulting firm, which publishes its annual Quality of Living Index. It estimates cities in the world in terms of the quality of life on a variety of parameters.

The experts recognized the capital of Iraq Baghdad the worst city. "The city is characterized by high levels of poverty, and many citizens are literally fighting for survival. In addition, clashes of warring groups regularly occur there that is also a negative factor for security," the report says.

The capital of the Central African Republic Bangui takes the second place, the third - the city of Sanaa (Yemen). 

It is the largest city in Yemen, which has become the victim of devastating airstrikes on the part of Saudi Arabia. In addition, the country has become a battleground in the war between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

• Bishkek takes 21^st place in the rating. "Bishkek is the economic center of the country, but there is also the high level of poverty of the population. The government is trying to cope with the constant terrorist attacks," Mercer report says.

The 18^th place in the list is occupied by the capital of Tajikistan, Dushanbe, 23^rd - by Ashgabat (Turkmenistan), the 26^th - by Tashkent (Uzbekistan). 

The study involves 450 cities around the world, and Mercer takes into account the following parameters for evaluating the quality of life:

• Political and social environment (political stability, crime, observance of laws).
• Economic environment (currency regulation, banking).
• The socio-cultural environment (censorship and media availability, restrictions of personal freedom).
• Health (access to medicines and health services, infectious diseases, sewage, waste disposal, air pollution).
• Schools and education (educational standards and availability of international schools).
• Public services and transportation (electricity, water, public transport, traffic jams).
• Recreation (restaurants, theaters, cinemas, sports infrastructure and recreational opportunities).
• Consumer goods (availability of consumer goods, food).
• Housing (rent, home appliances, furniture, maintenance services).
• Environment (climate, natural disasters).