Uzbekistan aims to cut poverty rate to 4.5 percent next year

During the meeting chaired by the president, unused opportunities and existing shortcomings were highlighted. It was noted that there are no clear criteria for assessing the effectiveness of the “neighborhood seven”, the seven-member local support group, and that their accountability in reducing unemployment and poverty must be strengthened. Officials stressed that the group’s activities must have a direct impact on employment and income growth, and that targeted, results-oriented work in this direction should be intensified.

To reduce poverty and unemployment in neighborhoods, officials were instructed to identify local challenges and “growth points” and develop systematic measures accordingly. The meeting also called for greater focus on resolving citizens’ appeals directly within their own neighborhoods. Progress in the most vulnerable neighborhoods was reviewed, and special attention was directed toward improving infrastructure, electricity supply, internet access, and the use of household plots in these areas.

This year, the national poverty rate is expected to fall from 8.9 percent to 6 percent. The goal for next year is to reduce it further to 4.5 percent. To achieve this, tasks were set to adopt a comprehensive approach in organizing work in neighborhoods, expand services that support sustainable employment, create income sources, provide vocational training, and encourage entrepreneurship.

The president emphasized the importance of developing individual plans for each low-income household, tailored to its real capabilities and needs. Within a project-based approach, programs such as “Employment bodies – partners of employers”, “Equal opportunity – inclusive employment”, “Toward a sustainable future”, “20 local brands”, “One contour – one product”, “Developing entrepreneurship in neighborhoods”, “Improving irrigation for leased land and household plots”, “Renewing old orchards”, “1,000-hectare fruit orchard”, and “Export-oriented cooperatives” are expected to cover one million low-income citizens.

Plans were also presented to reduce poverty and unemployment by implementing small and medium-sized projects in neighborhoods, including improving infrastructure in border and enclave areas, establishing 24/7 activity zones, developing tourist neighborhoods, creating micro-industrial centers, and expanding coastal and roadside infrastructure.

The implementation of the 2025 employment program and the formation of the 2026 program, along with measures to reduce informal employment, were also discussed.

The president instructed responsible officials to address issues in neighborhoods in a targeted manner, enhance the effectiveness of practical measures based on community needs, and ensure the responsible execution of tasks aimed at reducing unemployment and poverty.