Poverty rate falls to 5.8 percent in Uzbekistan as employment improves nationwide

In his address to the Oliy Majlis and the country’s multiethnic population, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said a number of positive results had been achieved in the social sphere. According to the president, the poverty rate declined from 8.9 percent at the start of the year to 5.8 percent, while 1,435 neighborhoods were declared “poverty-free” for the first time.

The address noted that 168,000 children from low-income families were admitted to state kindergartens on preferential terms. In addition, inclusive education was introduced for the first time this year at 208 kindergartens.

Mirziyoyev highlighted the rollout of a new anti-poverty system, under which more than 100 services, including loans, subsidies, and compensation, were introduced as part of social protection mechanisms and delegated to local neighborhood-level “sevens.” As a result, more than 8.5 million people exited poverty nationwide and unemployment was halved. He added that the target of cutting poverty by half by the end of 2026 had already been achieved this year.

The president also pointed to achievements in sports and education. He said 2025 was a historic year for Uzbek football, with the national team qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for the first time. He also highlighted the national chess team’s performance at the World Cup, noting that Javokhir Sindarov was recognized as the youngest title holder, and that Uzbekistan topped the team standings at the World Chess Championship for ages 9–17 with five gold, two silver, and five bronze medals.

In addition, Uzbek athletes recorded the best overall result at the Asian Para Youth Games, winning 125 gold, 77 silver, and 52 bronze medals. In education, school and university students won 51 gold, 101 silver, and 126 bronze medals at international academic Olympiads.

Looking ahead, the president said Uzbekistan will host several major international events in the coming years. In 2026, the country will host the International Chemistry Olympiad and the International Olympiad in Informatics for school students for the first time, as well as international engineering Olympiads for students from Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states and vocational skills Olympiads for technical college students from Turkic states. Uzbekistan will also host the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2027 and the Asian Youth Games in 2029.