Overview

The Voluntary National Review (VNR) of Uzbekistan (2023), presented at the High-Level Political Forum, outlines the country’s progress in implementing the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development within the framework of the “Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan for 2022–2026”. The report highlights significant national reforms across all SDGs, supported by institutional and policy alignment exceeding 190 official documents integrating SDG targets. Key achievements include a reduction in the national poverty rate from 17% in 2021 to 14.1% in 2022, expansion of social protection coverage to over 2 million families by 2021, and substantial improvements in education, health, and infrastructure development. At the same time, the VNR emphasises Uzbekistan’s commitment to inclusive growth, environmental sustainability and long-term structural transformation.

Recommendations

Increase climate adaptation investment, particularly in water management and disaster risk reduction.
Expand R&D spending beyond current levels (0.15% of GDP in 2021) to strengthen innovation capacity.
Strengthen regional equality policies to reduce income and development disparities.
Scale up sustainable urban infrastructure, especially road reconstruction (currently 40.6% requiring upgrades).
Enhance water-saving technologies and transboundary water cooperation to address future shortages.
Mobilise additional SDG financing beyond USD 6 billion annual gap, including private sector participation.
Continue strengthening institutional capacity, transparency and governance systems for SDG delivery.

Conclusion

The 2023 VNR demonstrates that Uzbekistan has made notable progress in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals through wide-ranging economic, social and environmental reforms. Improvements in poverty reduction, education access, housing provision, ICT development and environmental restoration reflect strong national commitment to sustainable development. However, the report also identifies persistent and emerging challenges, including climate vulnerability with a 1.6°C rise in average temperature, water scarcity risks along major river basins, rapid population growth projected to reach around 40 million by 2030, and a financing gap estimated at USD 6 billion annually. The VNR concludes that sustained progress will require stronger climate adaptation, increased investment in innovation and infrastructure, expanded SDG financing mechanisms, and continued institutional strengthening to ensure inclusive and resilient development under the 2030 Agenda.

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Voluntary National Reports

Country Focal Point

Mr Ashraf Khodjaev, Ph.D.
First Secretary
Mission of Uzbekistan to the UN
801 Second Avenue, 20th Floor New York, NY 10017

Location

Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

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Region

Asia

No Poverty

Score: 2
Justification	Uzbekistan identified poverty reduction as a national priority under the “Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan for 2022–2026”. In August 2021, the Cabinet of Ministers introduced the procedure for calculating minimum consumer spending as the official poverty line indicator. According to national statistics, the poverty rate was 17% in 2021 and declined to 14.1% in 2022. The World Poverty Clock also reported a reduction in the population living below the international poverty line of 1.9 USD per day from 11% in 2020 to 9% in 2023.
Challenges	Uzbekistan continues to face pressure from rapid population growth, with the population exceeding 35.3 million by the end of 2022 and projected to approach 40 million by 2030. This creates additional burdens on employment, social protection, housing and poverty reduction systems. Global inflation, food insecurity and economic instability also threaten poverty alleviation efforts.
Progress/ Solution	The Government introduced the “Single Registry for Social Protection” and the “Social Service in the Mahalla” model to improve targeted assistance for low-income families. Between 2017 and 2021, social protection coverage expanded from 0.435 million to more than 2 million families, while public expenditure on social protection increased sevenfold. In 2020–2021, 668.2 thousand low-income family members were provided with employment, and 85 thousand citizens received vocational training by the end of 2021.
Unsolved Challenges	Despite progress, Uzbekistan still needs to conduct multidimensional poverty assessments disaggregated by gender, age and residence. The country also aims to strengthen the implementation of the Social Protection Strategy until 2030 and ensure full social protection coverage for all vulnerable groups.

Zero Hunger

Score: 3
Justification	Food security and agricultural development remain central to Uzbekistan’s sustainable development agenda. The country significantly increased the production of melons, potatoes, vegetables, grapes, fruits, berries and livestock products. Uzbekistan ranked first among the top 10 countries with the greatest progress in food security during 2019–2022.
Challenges	Climate change, drought and water shortages threaten agricultural productivity and food security. According to the World Bank Climate Risk Country Profile, crop yields in Uzbekistan may decline by 25%–63% over the next 30 years compared with the 2000–2009 baseline. Land degradation, desertification and depletion of water resources also remain major risks.
Progress/ Solution	Large-scale land reforms transferred 100 thousand hectares of sown land to 400 thousand dehkans, enabling the production of an additional 1.5 million tons of food products and benefiting 100 thousand rural residents through employment. The Government also promoted farm development and concessional loans to strengthen rural livelihoods and food production.
Unsolved Challenges	Uzbekistan still faces serious environmental threats affecting food systems, particularly droughts, water scarcity and the drying of the Aral Sea. Sustainable agricultural practices and efficient water-saving technologies require further expansion to ensure long-term food security.

Good Health

Score: 3
Justification	Healthcare reform has been prioritised to improve access, quality and public health outcomes. Uzbekistan modernised its healthcare infrastructure and increased healthcare financing from 7.1 trillion UZS in 2017 to 19.4 trillion UZS in 2021. Child mortality declined from 15.4 to 12.3 per 1,000 newborns between 2017 and 2021, while infant mortality decreased from 11.5 to 9.2 per 1,000 live births.
Challenges	Climate change and rising temperatures increase risks of heat stress, acute intestinal infections, bacterial dysentery and malaria resurgence. Population growth also places increasing pressure on healthcare services and infrastructure.
Progress/ Solution	The Government restructured healthcare services by replacing 1,373 rural medical centres with 793 rural family polyclinics and 441 emergency departments and day hospitals. In addition, 1,200 emergency departments and specialised polyclinics were established in district and city hospitals. Medical facilities were equipped with digital X-ray machines, MRI systems and gamma therapy devices worth 6.5 million USD.
Unsolved Challenges	Uzbekistan still faces healthcare inequalities in remote and climate-vulnerable areas. The projected increase in climate-related diseases and continued demographic growth require additional healthcare investment, improved disease prevention systems and expanded healthcare accessibility.

Quality Education

Score: 3
Justification	Education has been declared a key pillar of sustainable development in Uzbekistan. Preschool education coverage increased from 27.7% in 2017 to 70% in 2022, while the number of preschool institutions rose from 5,211 to 27,609. The number of higher education institutions increased from 77 in 2017 to 199 in 2022, and higher education admission quotas increased fourfold to 38%.
Challenges	Rapid population growth and increasing demand for quality education continue to place pressure on educational infrastructure, staffing and financing. Ensuring equal access for women, rural populations and disadvantaged groups remains an ongoing challenge.
Progress/ Solution	The Government introduced grants for more than 3,000 girls annually starting from 2021 and established preferential educational loans for women in higher education institutions. Since 2022, educational loan interest rates for women have been subsidised for seven years, while master’s degree contract fees for women in state universities are fully financed by the State Budget.
Unsolved Challenges	Uzbekistan still needs to improve education quality across all levels and ensure inclusive access for vulnerable populations. Continued investment is required to meet growing educational demand and strengthen the long-term sustainability of reforms.

Gender Equality

Score: 3
Justification	Uzbekistan identified gender equality as a national priority through the adoption of 2 Laws, 16 Presidential Decrees and Resolutions, 33 Government Resolutions and the Strategy for Achieving Gender Equality until 2030. By 2021, women represented 32.0% of the Legislative Chamber, 24.0% of the Senate and 28.8% of leadership positions. The share of women in business entities also reached 35.0%.
Challenges	Despite reforms, Uzbekistan continues to face challenges in ensuring equal opportunities for women in leadership, entrepreneurship and higher education. The country also continues efforts to prevent harassment and violence against women and strengthen gender-responsive implementation mechanisms.
Progress/ Solution	The Government adopted the Law “On Guarantees of Equal Rights and Opportunities for Men and Women”, the Law “On Protection of Women from Harassment and Violence” and the national Gender Equality Strategy until 2030. Between 2019 and 2021, the number of girls studying in higher education institutions doubled. Since 2021, more than 3 thousand girls have received individual educational grants annually, while educational loans for women are subsidised by the State Budget.
Unsolved Challenges	Further efforts are still required to expand women’s economic participation, strengthen protection mechanisms against gender-based violence and ensure equal representation of women in governance and employment sectors across all regions.

Water & Sanitation

Score: 3
Justification	Uzbekistan recognises water security as a major sustainable development priority because climate change and rapid population growth are increasing pressure on national water resources.
Challenges	The country faces growing risks from droughts, water shortages and glacier melting in the region. According to the World Bank Climate Risk Country Profile, severe water shortages may occur along the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers within 17 years. Population growth and desertification further increase pressure on water availability.
Progress/ Solution	Uzbekistan has prioritised the rational use of water resources and the introduction of water-saving technologies. Government strategies and targeted programmes are being implemented to strengthen sustainable water management and address environmental risks linked to climate change and land degradation.
Unsolved Challenges	Water depletion, climate change and increasing demographic demand continue to threaten long-term water sustainability. Uzbekistan still requires additional measures to expand water-saving technologies and identify alternative water sources.

Clean Energy

Score: 3
Justification	Uzbekistan integrated SDG 7 into its Development Strategy reflecting the importance of energy security and sustainable economic growth.
Challenges	The country remains vulnerable to unstable global oil and gas prices, inflationary pressures and increasing energy demand caused by economic and population growth. External economic uncertainty and climate-related risks also affect long-term energy sustainability.
Progress/ Solution	Uzbekistan is promoting the development of a green economy, accelerating the introduction of innovative technologies and encouraging investments in green finance and climate finance. The Government is also expanding public-private partnerships and blended financing mechanisms to support sustainable development goals, including energy-related investments.
Unsolved Challenges	The country still faces the challenge of ensuring energy security while transitioning towards cleaner and more sustainable energy systems. Additional financial resources, technological modernisation and climate adaptation measures are needed to strengthen sustainable energy development.

Decent Work

Score: 3
Justification	Uzbekistan prioritised employment generation, entrepreneurship and economic liberalisation under its national reforms. In 2021, the share of small and private businesses reached 55.0% of GDP, 72.4% in construction and 74.4% in employment. Economic reforms also enabled GDP growth of 2% during the pandemic year 2020 and 107.4% growth in 2021.
Challenges	Uzbekistan faces challenges linked to high population growth, unemployment and external economic instability. Rapid demographic expansion creates additional pressure on job creation, labour markets and vocational training systems.
Progress/ Solution	The Government established the “Youth Notebook” and “Youth Programs” systems and launched the digital platform “yoshlardaftari.uz” to support youth employment. Vocational training infrastructure was expanded through 14 “Ishga Marhamat” mono-centres, 30 vocational training centres, 11 short-term training courses and 136 vocational training centres in mahallas. Between 2019 and 2021, the number of active entrepreneurs increased from 358.8 thousand to 501.7 thousand.
Unsolved Challenges	Uzbekistan still needs to strengthen sustainable employment opportunities, particularly for youth, women and rural populations. The country also requires continued diversification of the economy, expansion of decent work opportunities and adaptation to global economic uncertainties.

Industry & Infrastructure

Score: 3
Justification	Uzbekistan prioritises SDG 9, focusing on innovation-led industrial development, research cooperation and ICT expansion. The country also aims to support technological development and innovation ecosystems as part of its national SDG framework.
Challenges	The VNR highlights structural constraints in industrial development, including insufficient technological linkages, low value-added production and underdeveloped R&D capacity. R&D expenditure remained low at 0.12% in 2019, 0.14% in 2020 and 0.15% in 2021, while researchers increased from 407 to 504 per million population (2019–2021), indicating limited innovation intensity.
Progress/ Solution	Uzbekistan strengthened innovation systems and digital infrastructure. The share of mobile subscribers increased by 21.7% to 29 million (2019–2021), while internet users increased 1.5 times to 23 million. The share of ICT in GDP rose from 1.8% in 2019 to 2.6% in 2021.
Unsolved Challenges	Despite progress, the VNR identifies continued gaps in innovation capacity, weak inter-industry cooperation and insufficient high-tech industrial diversification. Further expansion of R&D investment and innovation-driven industrial transformation is required to meet SDG 9 targets by 2030.

Inequality

Score: 3
Justification	SDG 10 is embedded in national reforms focusing on income equality, social inclusion and labour migration management of the Development Strategy.
Challenges	The VNR identifies persistent regional income disparities and inequality pressures linked to demographic growth and labour migration challenges. Ensuring equitable access to income growth for vulnerable groups remains a key policy concern.
Progress/ Solution	Uzbekistan introduced policies to support income growth of the poorest groups and improve inclusion in social and economic life. The country also strengthened labour migration governance and implemented measures to expand social protection and equal opportunities.
Unsolved Challenges	The VNR emphasises the need to further reduce income inequality across regions and strengthen monitoring systems for inequality in income, consumption and property distribution.

Sustainable Cities

Score: 3
Justification	Uzbekistan prioritises SDG 11, focusing on housing, transport systems, cultural heritage and environmental sustainability in urban areas.
Challenges	Rapid urbanisation and infrastructure pressure remain key challenges. The VNR highlights the need for improved transport systems, housing supply and environmental management, particularly in rapidly growing cities.
Progress/ Solution	Housing development significantly improved, with about 300,000 apartments and individual houses built over the past six years, which is 10 times more than in previous years of independence. Housing provision increased from 15.7 m² per person in 2017 to 18.2 m² in 2021, and access to public transport reached 86.1% in 2021.
Unsolved Challenges	Despite progress, around 40.6% of urban roads require reconstruction, and sustainable urban planning and infrastructure modernisation remain ongoing priorities for inclusive city development.

Responsible Consumption

Score: 3
Justification	Uzbekistan integrates SDG 12, focusing on environmental protection, sustainable resource use and waste reduction policies within its national development framework.
Challenges	The country faces challenges related to waste management efficiency, environmental degradation and the need to transition towards circular economy models. Industrial growth also increases pressure on natural resources and emissions.
Progress/ Solution	Uzbekistan is implementing circular economy approaches and green transformation policies. The water conservation index improved from 49% in 2019 to 55% in 2021, while carbon intensity of GDP decreased by 6.6% in 2021 compared to 2019. Waste recycling targets are being raised to 50% by 2026 under national environmental plans.
Unsolved Challenges	The VNR highlights the need for further expansion of waste recycling systems, stronger implementation of circular production models and continued reduction of emissions and environmental pollution to meet SDG 12 targets.

Climate Action

Score: 3
Justification	Uzbekistan is highly vulnerable to climate change, with average annual temperatures increasing by 1.6°C (from 13.2°C to 14.8°C), exceeding global averages. The country’s carbon intensity of GDP was 0.465 tons CO₂/1000 USD (PPP, 2017 prices) in 2021, reflecting gradual decarbonisation. Climate change is integrated into national policy through the Concept of Environmental Protection until 2030.
Challenges	The VNR highlights rising risks of droughts, floods, mudflows, and water stress, with the World Bank projecting severe drought probability increases and potential crop yield losses of 25%–63% over 30 years (baseline 2000–2009). Water shortages along the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers are expected within 17 years. Climate impacts threaten food security, health, and ecosystems.
Progress/ Solution	Key mitigation measures include reduction of carbon intensity by 6.6% in 2021 compared to 2019, expansion of forest plantations on the dried Aral Sea bed, and large-scale solar energy projects under the “Scaling Solar” programme. The share of forest plantations reached 1.5 million hectares (2019–2021), alongside increased protected areas and renewable energy expansion.
Unsolved Challenges	Uzbekistan still needs stronger climate adaptation financing, expanded renewable energy deployment, and improved early warning systems. Implementation gaps remain in fully integrating climate adaptation into all sectors despite SDG 13 alignment with national goals.

Life Below Water

Score: 3
Justification	SDG 14 is nationally relevant due to regional water ecosystem stress, particularly linked to the Aral Sea crisis and transboundary water resource dependency. The VNR highlights ecosystem degradation affecting biodiversity and environmental stability.
Challenges	The country faces severe degradation of aquatic ecosystems due to water scarcity, salinisation, and desertification. Regional water stress is intensified by climate change and overuse of transboundary rivers, impacting ecological balance and biodiversity.
Progress/ Solution	Efforts include expansion of protected areas and environmental restoration programmes, including afforestation of 1.5 million hectares of the Aral Sea bed (2019–2021), which indirectly supports ecosystem recovery and water balance improvement. Strengthening environmental monitoring systems and ecological governance is ongoing.
Unsolved Challenges	Restoration of aquatic ecosystems remains limited. Continued degradation of water bodies and insufficient regional water governance coordination remain major gaps requiring long-term ecological rehabilitation strategies.

Life on Land

Score: 3
Justification	SDG 15 is prioritised under national Goals, focusing on biodiversity conservation, forest expansion, and land degradation neutrality. The VNR highlights ecosystem protection and sustainable land management as national priorities.
Challenges	Major challenges include desertification, land degradation, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem stress. Climate change accelerates soil degradation and reduces agricultural productivity, with projected crop yield losses of 25%–63% by 2050 (baseline 2000–2009).
Progress/ Solution	Significant progress includes creation of protective forest plantations over 1.5 million hectares (2019–2021) and establishment of new protected areas, including national parks and reserves. Biodiversity conservation frameworks, monitoring systems, and land restoration policies have been strengthened.
Unsolved Challenges	Despite progress, Uzbekistan still faces ongoing desertification, weak land restoration coverage in degraded zones, and the need for stronger enforcement of biodiversity protection and land-use regulations.

Peace & Justice

Score: 3
Justification	SDG 16 is embedded in national Goals, focusing on governance reform, justice systems, human rights protection and institutional strengthening. Parliamentary oversight of SDGs has been institutionalised.
Challenges	Key challenges include strengthening institutional efficiency, ensuring rule of law implementation at all levels, and improving public administration capacity. The VNR also highlights the need for stronger coordination across ministries and agencies.
Progress/ Solution	Institutional reforms include establishment of a Parliamentary Commission on SDG monitoring, involvement of civil society, and creation of interagency expert groups across six priority areas. More than 190 official documents integrate SDG targets into governance frameworks.
Unsolved Challenges	Despite progress, further strengthening of accountability systems, transparency mechanisms, and citizen participation is required. Ensuring consistent implementation of SDG-linked laws across regions remains a key gap.

Partnerships

Score: 3
Justification	Uzbekistan recognises SDG 17 as essential for financing and implementing SDGs, linked to national goals. The VNR highlights the need for international cooperation and blended financing to achieve national SDG targets.
Challenges	The country faces a financing gap, with an estimated need of at least USD 6 billion annually before 2019 to achieve SDGs. Limited domestic financing capacity and external shocks (including COVID-19) have increased dependency on external funding.
Progress/ Solution	Uzbekistan is developing an Integrated National Financing Strategy and expanding public–private partnerships. Blended finance increased globally to USD 172 billion (2011–2022), with Uzbekistan promoting similar mechanisms. SDG financing reforms include improved tax systems, investment incentives, and green finance expansion.
Unsolved Challenges	Major gaps remain in mobilising sufficient SDG financing, improving investment efficiency, and expanding private sector participation. Stronger alignment of financial flows with SDG outcomes is still required.

SDGs World Progress: Moderately Off-Track

SDGs World Progress: Off-Track

SDG1

Country Challenges

Rapid population growth, exceeding 35.3 million in 2022 and projected to reach around 40 million by 2030, increasing pressure on employment, housing, education and social services.
Climate vulnerability, with temperature rise of +1.6°C (13.2°C to 14.8°C) and rising risks of droughts, floods and water stress.
Severe water scarcity risks, with potential shortages along Amu Darya and Syr Darya within 17 years.
Low innovation capacity, with R&D expenditure only 0.12% (2019), 0.14% (2020), 0.15% (2021).
Income inequality and regional disparities, particularly affecting vulnerable groups and rural populations.
Financing gap for SDGs, estimated at around USD 6 billion annually (pre-2019 estimate).
Infrastructure pressure, including 40.6% of urban roads requiring reconstruction.
Environmental degradation, including desertification, land degradation and Aral Sea crisis impacts.

Country Lessons Learned

Integrated national SDG alignment (over 190 policy documents incorporating SDGs) improves coordination and implementation effectiveness.
Targeted social protection systems (e.g., Single Registry and mahalla-based delivery) significantly improve poverty reduction efficiency.
Mass education expansion combined with gender-targeted support accelerates human capital development.
Large-scale environmental restoration (e.g., 1.5 million ha afforestation) can address ecological crises while creating employment.
Digital transformation and ICT expansion strengthens economic diversification and service delivery.
Public–private partnerships and blended finance mechanisms are essential for SDG implementation under fiscal constraints.

Country Contribution

The national poverty rate declined from 5.2 percent in 2022 to 5.0 percent in 2024, while the international extreme poverty rate fell from 2.7 percent in 2021 to 1.4 percent in 2024.
In 2024, over 4.5 million people received pensions and benefits worth ₸5.3 tn through expanded social protection systems.
Gross agricultural production increased by 13.7 percent to ₸8.3 tn in 2024, while agricultural financing rose to ₸580 bn compared with ₸180 bn previously.
Renewable energy generated 6.43 percent of total electricity production in 2024, compared with 3.7 percent in 2020, with renewable energy facilities increasing to 154 and installed capacity exceeding 3 GW.
Public expenditure on education reached 5.9 percent of GDP in 2024, while preschool coverage for children aged 2–6 years increased to 93.1 percent.
In April 2024, Kazakhstan criminalised domestic violence and strengthened legal protections for women and children.
Internet coverage reached 99 percent of settlements in 2024, while 5G technology was introduced in major cities under the Digital Kazakhstan programme.
Access to safely managed drinking water services reached 99.4 percent in urban areas and 97.8 percent in rural areas in 2024.
In 2024, 18.9 million square metres of housing were commissioned to support sustainable urban development and housing access.
Kazakhstan adopted the Strategy for Achieving Carbon Neutrality by 2060 and expanded renewable energy and green finance initiatives.

Uzbekistan