10-07-202656
In recent years, Uzbekistan has been consistently implementing reforms aimed at developing human capital, enhancing the socio-economic engagement of young people, and unlocking their potential. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) serve as a key conceptual and methodological framework for evaluating the effectiveness of these processes. In particular, the goals of quality education (SDG 4), decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), and reduced inequalities (SDG 10) are directly aligned with the newly adopted youth strategy.
On 20 April 2026, under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, a discussion was held on the prospective plans for developing the sector through 2030. The data presented indicate that a systematic and long-term approach is being established to work with 9.5 million young people, who constitute approximately 25 per cent of the country's population. This strategy represents an important mechanism for the practical implementation of institutional reforms in the sector, including the realization of youth rights enshrined in Article 79 of the Constitution in its new edition.
As noted, within the framework of the strategy, ensuring youth employment has been designated as the highest priority. Specifically, the annual employment of 600,000 young people is planned, along with the training of 20,000 young people through the methodologies of prestigious international educational institutions — including Harvard and MIT — under the "New Generation Entrepreneurs" programme. These benchmarks are intended to enhance competitiveness in the labour market and reinforce the country's innovation potential.
Alongside economic incentives, particular attention is being devoted to education and professional development. Raising the foreign language proficiency of 450,000 young people to B2 level by 2030, combined with the allocation of loans of up to 300 million soums to support learning centres in remote regions, will foster intellectual regional development. Furthermore, engaging 900,000 young people in voluntary activities and providing grants of up to 100 million soums from the volunteer fund carry significant importance for strengthening civil society. The strategy also encompasses support for young families and health protection. The annual provision of housing to 10,000 young families through mortgage lending, as well as the establishment of a psychological support system aimed at reducing by 40 per cent the share of young people in psychological risk groups, represent key factors of social stability. In the area of international cooperation, ensuring the participation of 100,000 young people in global programmes will accelerate Uzbekistan's integration into the international community.
From this perspective, the "Youth – 2030" strategy accords priority importance to maintaining a balance between quality of education, economic opportunities, and social protection as an essential prerequisite for sustainable development. The introduction of a National Youth Index for the systematic study of young people's needs will ensure the transparency and objectivity of the measures being adopted. The consistent implementation of these objectives will enable the achievement of the targets set out in the strategy and will elevate to a qualitatively new level the participation of the younger generation in building the foundations of New Uzbekistan. Moreover, the regular assessment of youth policy against SDG indicators and its comparative analysis through the lens of international experience serve as a solid foundation for the improvement of national strategies.