Unemployment falls and 302,000 families lifted out of poverty in Uzbekistan – President

Since the beginning of this year, unemployment in Uzbekistan has dropped to 4.9 percent, down from 5.5 percent last year. In particular, the unemployment rate in Bukhara, Kogon, Navoi, Zarafshan, G‘uzor, Samarkand, and Shirin cities has fallen below 4 percent, approaching the level of “natural unemployment” for the first time. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev made these remarks during a video conference on November 19 reviewing poverty reduction and employment efforts, as well as priority tasks for the coming year.

The meeting highlighted that 302,000 needy families have been lifted out of poverty. By the end of the year, the national poverty rate is expected to decline to 6 percent, compared with 8.9 percent last year.

In districts with challenging conditions, including Khavos, Mirzaobod, Oqoltin, Dustlik, Pakhtakor, Forish, Bostan, Vobkent, Mirishkor, Mingbuloq, Uzun, and Piskent, the number of poor families has decreased by up to 4.5 times.

Some 105,000 families previously in difficult circumstances have begun earning income, and the average income of poor households has doubled compared with the beginning of the year.

For the first time this year, 1,435 neighborhoods have been officially designated as “poverty-free” areas.