In the study, such indicators as labor productivity, employment in the main sectors of the economy, and the population, including the able-bodied population, were chosen as preliminary data. The assessment was carried out for Karakalpakstan, 12 regions and the city of Tashkent for 2018-2021.

According to the results of the study, in Tashkent, Namangan, Syrdarya, Navoi, Jizzakh, Khorezm, Fergana regions and the Republic of Karakalpakstan, economic growth was higher than the average (111.0%) in the regions of the country. The remaining 6 regions were distinguished by moderate development (105.9-110.8%).

Economic growth in Namangan, Jizzakh, Khorezm, Fergana regions, in whose economy the agricultural sector dominates (the share of agriculture is 35.0-54.0%) and the Republic of Karakalpakstan, is accompanied by an increase in labor productivity inherent in all regions of the country, as well as an increase in the level employment of the population. This indicates that in these territories, the development of the economy is carried out through the introduction of new production facilities (fuel and energy, electrical, pharmaceutical industries, services, construction) and the creation of jobs.

Economic growth in regions with high potential, such as the Tashkent and Navoi regions, was mainly due to the development of existing basic industries that form the competitive advantages of the regions (metallurgy, fuel and energy complex). These regions are distinguished by their specialization in high-performance activities – the service sector and industry.

Relatively low rates of economic growth were observed in the densely populated Andijan and Kashkadarya regions. This situation was caused by a slight decrease in production (for example, in the automotive and petrochemical industries, construction) due to the unstable situation that prevailed around the world in 2019-2021.

IFMR experts identified highly efficient industries that ensure balanced economic development of the regions:

•  in the service sector – the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Andijan, Bukhara, Kashkadarya, Namangan, Samarkand regions and Tashkent city;
•  in construction – Tashkent city, Namangan region;
•  in the industrial sphere – Andijan, Kashkadarya, Navoi, Tashkent regions;
•  in the field of agriculture – Bukhara, Samarkand, Surkhandarya, Syrdarya, Fergana, Khorezm regions.