Household survey data for research on well-being and behavior in Central Asia

This paper summarizes the micro-level survey evidence from Central Asia generated and analyzed in the period 1991-2012. We provide an exhaustive overview over all accessible individual and household-level surveys undertaken in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan - and of all academic papers published using these datasets. We argue that Central Asia is a fascinating region for the study of comparative economics given its dual experience of transition and development. However, the region is also understudied, in part due to lack of data, and especially due to a lack of panel data. We identify knowledge gaps derived from this lack of longitudinal surveys and suggest worthwhile areas for future research. Finally, we also present a new and novel individual-level panel dataset called "Life in Kyrgyzstan". Journal of Comparative Economics 42 (3) (2014) 819-835. Humboldt-University of Berlin, Unter den Linden 6,10099 Berlin, Germany; DIW Berlin, Mohrenstr. 58, 10117 Berlin, Germany; KIMEP University, 2 Abay Avenue, 050010 Almaty, Kazakhstan; Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Signalistgatan 9, 16970 Solna, Sweden; Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Schaumburg-Lippe-Str. 5-9, 53113 Bonn, Germany; Leibniz University Hannover, Konigsworther Platz 1,30167 Hannover, Germany. (C) 2013 Association for Comparative Economic Studies Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.