TASHKENT - Uzbekistan places great emphasis on the development of the young generation. This is not just a mere statement, but an actively implemented reality. Special attention is paid to all-round support for young people and to solving their existing problems. Youth work in Uzbekistan is directly related to demographic and social systems. Almost one third of the population of Uzbekistan is under 18 years of age and 24 % of the population is between 18 and 30 years of age. In Uzbekistan, social mobility mechanisms are created to enable talented young people to realize their potential, and all necessary measures are taken to support their growth.
There are significant changes in education in the country. Over the last seven years, the number of male and female Master's students has increased seven and eleven times respectively. In addition, between 1991 and 2016, only 800 students were allowed to study abroad at state expense. However, in the last seven years, this number has tripled and more than 2,300 students have benefited from the El-Yurt Umidi Foundation. The programme continues to expand. This year alone, an additional 1,000 talented young people will be able to study at top universities abroad through the Bright Future initiative.
However, the most important progress is not only in quantity but also in the quality of education. Young people are no longer just getting diplomas - they are learning languages, modern technologies and practical skills. In the last three years, interest in foreign language learning has grown significantly, with the number of young students reaching two million. The number of students achieving high scores in the IELTS exam has increased fivefold, from 10,000 in 2020 to 53,000 in 2024.
The state now pays a significant part of the costs associated with language education. A new "2+6" funding system has been introduced, under which students initially pay for the first two months of private language courses themselves, while the state finances the remaining six months. This initiative will give 100 000 graduates the opportunity to achieve B2 language proficiency, opening up new career and educational prospects. In addition, more than 25,000 girls have already received free coding lessons, with the number set to double this year.
It is also worth mentioning the threefold increase in the number of young entrepreneurs, which is one of the most significant achievements of recent years. Young people now account for 40 % of all entrepreneurs in the country, while youth unemployment has halved.
A special fund with a budget of $100 million has been established within the Youth Agency to support this trend. Through this fund, young entrepreneurs can receive soft loans of up to UZS 2.5 billion, while their start-ups can receive investments of up to UZS 2 billion.
In addition, Aloqa Bank is gradually transforming itself into a bank for young entrepreneurs. An additional USD 200 million has been earmarked for financing start-ups and small businesses. The minimum amount of support is set at UZS 100 million, while the maximum reaches UZS five billion. In addition, women entrepreneurs will receive a minimum of 30 % of the total loan volume. Employers who hire young professionals and pay them at least UZS three million will also benefit from tax incentives.
Creative Industry Parks are being established in the country, which will allow residents to do business under preferential tax treatment until 2030. They will benefit from tax exemption on profits and will be given the opportunity to develop projects in IT, design, marketing and other creative industries.
New educational and professional opportunities are being created for young people living in remote districts. For example, those with C1 level foreign language skills can obtain an interest-free loan of UZS 120 million to open language schools in rural areas. A new support system is also being created for those who do not have the opportunity to study abroad but want to acquire a prestigious profession. As part of the reforms, the El-Yurt Umidi Foundation will expand educational quotas at the world's leading universities for key disciplines such as energy, transport, urban planning, modern architecture and medicine.
A distinctive feature of the new reforms is the direct inclusion of students from foreign universities in the national talent pool. They can secure employment in state institutions without the need for a selection process. This will enable the rapid integration of highly qualified professionals into the civil service. In addition, every year 1 000 selected young people will have the opportunity to study at universities that are ranked among the top 100 in the world. All costs related to their tuition and living expenses will be covered by the state budget, with UZS 300 billion allocated for this initiative. The aim of this programme is to create a strong group of professionals who will contribute to the further development of the country. Young researchers who obtain degrees from the world's top 100 universities will also be eligible for an interest-free loan of UZS 800 million to buy a home.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev During a meeting with young people, he described the youth as the "golden foundation" of the nation. In Uzbekistan, meetings between leaders and young people are becoming an established tradition. These meetings are essential for discussing measures to expand opportunities for the young generation.
Bekhruz Khudoyberdiyev, UzA / photo: president.uz / gnews.cz-jav
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