Uzbekistan Targets 6% Poverty Rate by End of Year

Uzbekistan is aiming to reduce its national poverty rate to 6% by the end of the year, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced during the opening of the international forum "Road to Prosperity" in Namangan.

The event brought together representatives from over 30 leading organizations and approximately 200 international experts to discuss sustainable development and economic growth strategies, The Caspian Post reports, citing Uzbek media.

He noted that over the past eight years, Uzbekistan has carried out large-scale efforts to protect human rights, provide decent jobs, raise incomes, and improve living standards.

All efforts have been directed toward creating conditions and expanding opportunities for every person - especially young people and women - to fully realize their potential.

During the most difficult period, the fight against poverty was elevated to the level of state policy and turned into a nationwide movement.

The head of state recalled that at that time Uzbekistan lacked clear criteria and methodology for assessing poverty. In cooperation with the World Bank and United Nations institutions, national poverty benchmarks were developed based on international experience.

The updated constitution strictly stipulates that pensions, allowances, and social assistance must not fall below the minimum consumer expenditure level.

Thanks to consistent reforms, 7.5 million people have been lifted out of poverty, bringing the poverty rate down to 8.9 percent in 2024. The goal is to reduce this figure to 6 percent by the end of the year.