Mongolian Economy and Finance

In the suburbs of Mongolia’s capital Ulaanbaatar, there's a steady increase in the construction of traditional nomadic Mongolian gers, or yurts. The problem is, these dwellings are never designed for city living.

By Enkhzul Altangerel In Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, children like Nandin-Erdene face air so dense with pollution that they cannot view the colour of traffic lights.

Ulaanbaatar, February 18, 2016 — On the morning of February 18th, The Asia Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the office of the Mayor of Ulaanbaatar to establish Ulaanbaatar’s first Women’s Business Center and Incubator to empower female entrepreneurs.

Infrastructure in Mongolia’s sprawling capital Ulaanbaatar has not kept up with the rapid growth of unplanned ger areas within the city, leading to harsh conditions for newcomers.

“The ger is really special for Mongolians,” says Tagtokhbayar Tuvaan, 63, over a bowl of salty milk tea in his home on the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar.

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia - Mongolia's capital, Ulaanbaatar, is home to around 30 percent of the country's population - and nearly 800,000 of those live in a sprawling residential area known as the ger district with no running water, no central heating, sporadic garbage collection and no sewage system.

The Urban Clan of Genghis Khan An influx of nomads has turned the Mongolian capital upside down.

Once known for its abundant and immaculate waters, the Tuul River flowing through Mongolia’s capital Ulaanbataar is rapidly shrinking.

Mongolia’s economic boom , coupled with harsh winters that have killed off cattle and traditional livelihoods, have made the country’s rural, pastoralist lifestyle less attractive and economically viable.

More than half of the 1.2 million residents of Mongolia’s capital, Ulaanbaatar, live in the city’s sprawling ger areas , and the majority of residents lack access to basic public services such as water, sewage systems, electricity, and safe waste disposal, and educational resources including libraries.

Ulaanbaatar’s public transportation delegates gathered for the first time on Wednesday at the Public Transportation Development Key Conference to discuss ways to better organized transportation service in Mongolia and recover reputation of the service among the residents.

According to the findings of a recent investigation carried out by specialists with the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles in the United States and from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, there is evidence to suggest that environmental pollution resulting from burning coal can up a woman's risk to miscarry.

A report released this week has found a “disturbingly strong correlation” between winter air pollution in Ulaanbaatar and early fetal deaths.

Air pollution is a major health challenge worldwide and has previously been strongly associated with adverse reproductive health.

Burning coal for domestic heating may contribute to early fetal death according to a new study by experts from The Saban Research Institute of Children's Hospital Los Angeles and Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia – the coldest capital city in the world.

Daynsaikhan’s ger sits at the very edge of Ulan Bator. Completely surrounded by snow, it appears cold and isolated, just a few meters from an illegal trash site.

A customer at the pharmacy says, “Instead of going to family doctors, the smallest part of the hospital in Ulaanbaatar, it is better to go to an animal hospital’s doctor – at least one who has experience.”

Pollution responsible for up to 25% of deaths in UB

Ulaanbaatar is the most polluted capital city in the world in terms of PM index, according to a study by Prof. Lodoysamba of the National University of Mongolia, who studies Ulaanbaatar air pollution and runs the UB Air Quality Facebook and Twitter page for regular updates on air quality.

HOWELL — Representatives of Howell and the Sukhbaatar District of Ulanbaatar in Mongolia signed a memorandum of agreement following a presentation designating them as sister cities on Dec. 10.