This study focused on youth, labor migrants and their families, and women in Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic. It provided insights into how individuals manage their finances and save, decision-making roles in the household, and what expenses are considered normal or outside the norm.

MSA conducted a study for the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to identify barriers hindering consumers from the target group to save. Because saving implies knowing one’s own income and expenses and maintaining a financial plan to avoid overspending, the study sought to understand social norms that influence the above listed financial decisions made by individuals in the respective countries.