Resource information
Since independence, Uzbekistan has
followed a distinct economic strategy, entailing gradual
transformation of the economy, while emphasizing social
stability. The "Uzbek Model" of development has
focused on developing industrial and manufacturing capacity
in a predominantly agricultural economy, using direct and
substantial state guidance. An important objective of the
strategy has been to raise living standards and expand
employment opportunities, while protecting vulnerable groups
against abject poverty. Has this approach alleviated the
problems of poverty inherited by the country? This report
provides the first national level picture of living
standards in Uzbekistan since independence. It has three
main goals: (i) to examine the current status of living
standards in Uzbekistan (ii) to identify key challenges and
constraints to improving living standards, and (iii) to
suggest priority policy actions that are needed for broad
based improvements in living standards in the country. The
report was prepared in close collaboration with a working
group from the Government of Uzbekistan, to ensure the
relevance of the findings and to build capacity for
analytical evaluation of living standards using household
survey data. The report is based on the recently improved
and nationally representative Family Budget Survey (FBS)
(2000/01) carried out by the Uzbek statistical authorities.
Since 2000/01 was the first year of implementation of the
revised nationally representative survey, the new survey is
considered by the Statistical Authorities to be a pilot.
This is also the first time the data have been used for
poverty analysis, and the exercise has yielded important
feedback for further strengthening the survey. Despite these
important caveats, the FBS does provide the first
comprehensive information on living standards in the
country, and represents the best available information at
this time. Results that appear to contradict conventional
wisdom cannot be rejected a priori, since they represent the
responses of about 10,000 households. They must be verified
with future rounds of the survey as well as special studies.
In addition to the FBS, the report uses other sources of
information, including surveys of firms, farms, institutions
and individuals, as well as administrative data. The study
also uses international evidence to compare and contrast
Uzbekistan's living standards and policy outcomes
relative to other countries, including CEE (Central and
Eastern European) countries and other CIS (Commonwealth of
Independent States) countries. This report comprises two
volumes. This first volume provides a summary of the
findings and key policy recommendations of the report,
preceded first by a brief overview of the key messages. The
second volume contains the more detailed technical analysis
on which this first volume is based.
