Uzbekistan’s progress in reducing poverty and boosting employment was reviewed in Tashkent at a virtual meeting chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, where priorities for the coming year were also outlined, reports Dunyo.uz.
Officials noted that unemployment has fallen to 4.9%, while 302,000 low-income families have risen out of poverty. By the end of the year, poverty is expected to decline to 6%. During the meeting, the president criticized several district governors for poor performance in this area, leading to the dismissal of the heads of Denau and Chirakchi districts.
Mirziyoyev identified five key areas of work for 2026, when the government aims to reduce poverty and unemployment to below 4.5%. A total of 450 trillion soums ($37.2 billion) in loans will be directed into the economy, including 140 trillion soums ($11.6 billion) to support small and medium-sized projects in mahallas.
The main priorities include expanding the construction sector with projects worth 675 trillion soums; increasing service-sector initiatives and developing tourism infrastructure in 150 mahallas; launching $22 billion in industrial projects expected to create 130,000 jobs; boosting agricultural incomes through the spread of Household Farming Schools; and strengthening social protection through the “Equal Opportunities – Inclusive Employment” program, which aims to employ 40,000 people with disabilities.
The prime minister was instructed to set these targets as key performance indicators for ministers and regional governors for 2026.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
November 21, 2025