The Government of Mongolia is initiating consultations with the population regarding the effective allocation of resources from the National Wealth Fund (NWF).
The first stage of a public opinion survey titled "Mongolians – Managers of Their Wealth" has begun in the country.
The survey, organized by the government, will start on March 27, 2026, and will cover the entire country as part of the first stage of the "Mongolians – Managers of Their Wealth" initiative concerning the National Wealth Fund.
A total of 1,570 citizens will participate in the study, including 740 residents of the capital and 830 from rural areas. The methodology for the sampling study was developed by the National Statistical Office in accordance with international standards.
On March 17, a conference on the topic "Current State of Wealth Funds and Emerging Issues" was held, gathering scholars, researchers, and government representatives as part of the preparatory process. A discussion with representatives from the mining sector will take place on March 26, and a meeting with representatives from the banking sector, financial institutions, and young scholars is scheduled for March 27. The main goal of these events is to exchange views on the current state of the NWF, existing problems, opportunities for improvement, and possible solutions.
The first stage of the survey will last until April 3, and the second stage is scheduled for April 11-12 at the State Palace in Ulaanbaatar.
According to government resolution No. 48 of 2026, the survey was launched to form a public consensus on the direction of revenues from natural resources into the NWF and to ensure their fair distribution between current and future generations. A Working Office of the Advisory Council and corresponding subgroups have been established to monitor this process.
The public is actively discussing a number of political issues: how to balance current expenditures with long-term savings, how to ensure fair distribution of wealth among citizens, and how to build governance systems that ensure transparency and accountability.
Unlike traditional surveys, the deliberative method allows citizens to receive balanced information and discuss possible policy options before expressing their opinions. Officials emphasize that this process aims to take the population's views into account at the political level, based on the principle that Mongolia's natural resources belong to the people and their benefits should be accessible to future generations.
Key political issues being discussed in the context of the NWF include:
- How to balance current needs with long-term savings;
- How to establish fair mechanisms for distributing wealth among citizens;
- How to create governance and oversight systems that ensure transparency and accountability.
In this context, the nationwide deliberative survey is particularly significant, providing citizens with balanced information, the opportunity to discuss political options, and a platform to express informed opinions on the management of the country's natural wealth.
Mongolia's previous experience in conducting deliberative surveys has shown that citizens take complex political issues seriously when provided with accurate information and a structured environment. The upcoming survey is expected to serve a similar function—strengthening democratic legitimacy and forming a national consensus on one of the country's key economic issues.
Decisions regarding the management of Mongolia's natural wealth in the coming decades may depend on citizens' opinions next month.
It is crucial for citizens to participate in decision-making that affects their lives. The deliberative survey method effectively transfers the decision-making process into the hands of the population, allowing them to express their opinions at the political level. This approach lays the foundation for citizens to become true owners of their wealth and receive fair benefits from natural resources, ensuring a better life for future generations.
International experience highlights the importance of effective management of natural resources. The International Monetary Fund notes that transparency and proper governance play a key role in the fair and sustainable distribution of revenues from natural resources. The World Bank emphasizes the importance of accountability and oversight for effective management of sovereign wealth funds. Research shows that a lack of transparency in extractive industries increases the risks of corruption and mismanagement, while data from the OECD and other organizations confirm that citizen participation improves policy quality and strengthens public trust in government.
Mongolia's previous experience in conducting deliberative surveys has demonstrated that with the necessary information and a well-organized environment, citizens can actively participate in the process. Deliberative surveys are not just about collecting opinions; they are an important mechanism for strengthening the legitimacy of democracy and forming consensus at the national level.
What is the purpose of the deliberative survey?
National deliberative surveys were conducted in Mongolia in 2017 and 2023. Now the government will consult with citizens on increasing NWF revenues and more equitable distribution of natural resource wealth.
Researchers consider the deliberative survey an important methodology for the practical implementation of deliberative democracy, where discussion or debate plays a key role in the political decision-making process. This methodology allows randomly selected citizens to express their opinions after receiving balanced information, asking questions to experts, and discussing the topic among themselves. It involves not only voting by citizens but also their active participation in an information-oriented decision-making process.
The National Wealth Fund will create a foundation for a system of distribution, accumulation, and expenditure of revenues derived from natural resources. It will operate on principles that wealth belongs to the people and will take into account the interests of society for both current and future generations.
