The World Bank, jointly with the Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction and the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan, presented the World Bank’s new report, “Uzbekistan Poverty and Equity Assessment: Pathways to Prosperity and Greater Opportunities for All.”

The report notes that Uzbekistan has achieved one of the fastest rates of poverty reduction among middle-income countries in recent years. Based on the poverty line applied to upper-middle-income countries, Uzbekistan accounted for nearly 40 percent of the overall reduction in poverty across Europe and Central Asia. Poverty is also no longer predominantly a rural phenomenon: faster poverty reduction in rural areas has virtually eliminated the gap in poverty rates between urban and rural populations.

The report was presented at an event in Tashkent, followed by a regional event in Khorezm. The events brought together representatives of ministries and government agencies, development partners, members of the research community, civil society institutions and the private sector, as well as national media. Participants discussed the report’s findings and recommended policy measures in the relevant areas.

“The findings of the report once again confirm that the reforms implemented in recent years in employment and social protection are delivering tangible results for families across the country. The Ministry will continue working to expand access to decent jobs, increase household incomes and strengthen the social protection system so that the progress achieved in reducing poverty becomes irreversible and benefits all regions of Uzbekistan,” said Botir Zohidov, Minister of Employment and Poverty Reduction of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The share of the population living in poverty declined from 17.0 percent in 2021 to 5.8 percent in 2025, meaning that approximately 3.7 million people were lifted out of poverty during this period.

The main drivers of this progress were increased employment and higher wages. The share of men from the poorest households engaged in paid employment more than doubled, rising from 18 percent in 2022 to 46 percent in 2025. At the same time, wages among low-paid workers increased steadily by at least 11–12 percent per year in real terms in both the public and private sectors. Together, employment expansion and wage growth contributed to a 9-percentage-point reduction in poverty, while the social insurance system made an additional contribution of 2.0 percentage points.

This progress was accompanied by rapid growth of the middle class. Between 2019 and 2024, nearly half of Uzbekistan’s population — 44 percent — moved into a higher economic category. The middle class almost doubled, from 37 percent of the population in 2021 to more than 72 percent in 2025. These achievements are closely aligned with Uzbekistan’s goal of attaining upper-middle-income country status by 2030.

“This impressive progress demonstrates what can be achieved when economic growth translates into job creation and higher household incomes,” said Abebe Adugna, World Bank Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia. “The next challenge is to ensure that all people in Uzbekistan, regardless of where they live, their gender or social background, have access to the skills, services and opportunities they need to build secure and prosperous lives.”

The report also notes that sustaining this progress will require ensuring that its benefits are distributed more evenly across the population. Access to higher-paying jobs and higher living standards remains uneven across the country, with significant opportunities still concentrated in Tashkent and several other urban centres.

The report further emphasizes that increasing women’s participation in the labour market is not only a matter of equality but also a necessary condition for further poverty reduction. Even when women enter the labour market, they earn 35–40 percent less than men, regardless of sector or skill level.

To consolidate and sustain the progress achieved, the report recommends:

• investing in quality education and skills that are in demand among employers;
• expanding access to childcare services to support women’s employment;
• improving territorial connectivity and the delivery of public services in lagging regions and communities;
• strengthening the social protection system by better targeting support to the most vulnerable groups.

“Uzbekistan is moving beyond poverty reduction towards creating sustainable economic opportunities and strengthening the middle class,” said Najy Benhassine, World Bank Regional Director for Central Asia. “Investments in human capital, job creation for young people entering the labour market with increasingly higher qualifications, expanding women’s economic opportunities, improving territorial connectivity and an effective social protection system will be critical to sustaining the progress achieved and extending its benefits to every region, district and community across the country.”

Key Messages

• Poverty rate in Uzbekistan: 17.0% (2021) → 5.8% (2025)
• 3.7 million people lifted out of poverty in four years
• Uzbekistan accounted for nearly 40% of the overall reduction in poverty in Europe and Central Asia
• The urban-rural poverty gap has been virtually eliminated
• The middle class grew from 37% to more than 72% of the population (2021–2025)
• Share of men from poor households in paid employment: 18% → 46% (2022–2025)
• Real wages increased by 11–12% per year
• 44% of the population moved into a higher economic category (2019–2024)
• Women earn 35–40% less than men, regardless of sector or skill level
• Uzbekistan’s goal is to attain upper-middle-income country status by 2030