Publication Details
Abstract
Digitalisation has been at the forefront of the global economic engine, changing the landscape of production, services, and governance systems. This study explores the balance of economic digitalization with social reproduction processes in Uzbekistan, taking examples from China, Singapore, the United States, India and South Korea. While rapid advances are being made, one important knowledge gap persists around how digital transformation is linked to equitable social and economic development.
The study applies a comparative descriptive approach and, based on global datasets, governmental documents and industry statistics, assesses the digital transformation of Uzbekistan in the years 2017-2024. The findings showed that the share of the digital economy in GDP doubled from 0.5% of GDP in 2005 to 17% of GDP in 2024, mainly due to the strategy "Digital Uzbekistan 2030", the automation of industries, and the growth of the IT industry. Service and industrial sectors recorded high levels of digitalization at 85 per cent and 78 per cent respectively; agriculture, however, recorded 30 per cent.
Findings asserting that digitalization enhances productivity, innovation, and resource utilization and alters economic and social structures. But this must be tempered with the caveat of sectoral and local differences creating a need for inclusive policy approach and regional digital expansion. Yes, building better infrastructure, providing more support for SMEs and raising digital skills are key items to sustain growth. The paper argues that for Uzbekistan to become an innovation-driven, sustainable digital economy, the mutual socio-technical development has to be synchronized.