The Role of the Social Protection System in Poverty Reduction

This text analyzes the socio-economic essence of the concepts of poverty and indigence, modern approaches to their definition, and methodological frameworks recommended by international organizations (UN, World Bank). The author argues that poverty is a complex phenomenon consisting not only of income deficiency but also of barriers to realizing human potential and limited opportunities. The article emphasizes the priority of comprehensive measures aimed at awakening the entrepreneurial spirit and individual aspiration over passive social assistance. Furthermore, indicators of absolute, relative, and multidimensional poverty (MPI), their application in global practice, and issues of enhancing the targeting of social protection in the context of economic reforms in Uzbekistan are discussed.