Poverty rate in Uzbekistan decreased from 5 percent to 4.5 percent in six months — Jamshid Kuchkarov
Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Kuchkarov announced that the poverty rate decreased from 5 percent to 4.5 percent in the first half of 2026. During this period, 300,000 services aimed at increasing income were provided to 227,000 poor families on the social register, and 104,000 microprojects were launched.
The poverty rate in Uzbekistan has dropped from 5 percent to 4.5 percent in six months. Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Kuchkarov announced this in his report to the Legislative Chamber on the implementation of the state program for the first half of 2026.
According to Kuchkarov, 300,000 services aimed at increasing incomes were provided to 227,000 poor families included in the social register. Also, 104,000 microprojects were launched in makhallas to increase economic activity, which provided employment for 246,000 residents.
During the reporting period, more than 460,000 unemployed people were provided with permanent jobs. 2,750 makhallas were transformed into areas free from unemployment and poverty. 9 trillion soums have been allocated for infrastructure improvement programs in 37 heavy-duty and 33 "New Uzbekistan" districts and 915 makhallas, and more than 3,200 projects are being implemented.
Jamshid Kuchkarov noted that in the first half of 2026, Uzbekistan's gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 8.5%. Industry grew by 8%, the services sector by 16.9%, construction by 13.8%, and agriculture by 4.7%.
During the reporting period, foreign investments worth $28.1 billion were absorbed. Excluding gold, exports reached $14.4 billion, an increase of 31.6% compared to the same period last year. The volume of capital investments amounted to about 339 trillion soums. The annual inflation rate was 6.4 percent.
At a videoconference meeting on July 21, the task was set to ensure GDP growth of at least 8 percent by the end of the year. The Deputy Prime Minister noted that the necessary measures are being taken for this.
Recall that in March, the indicator used to determine the poverty line in Uzbekistan was increased by 6.9 percent - from 669 thousand soums to 715 thousand soums per month per person (from 22 thousand to 23 thousand soums per day). Starting from 2022, the average monthly income criterion per capita used to recognize a family as low-income through the Unified Register of Social Protection information system has been equal to minimum consumer spending. The amount of certain benefits and other social norms must be paid at a level not lower than the minimum consumption costs.