Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The unemployment rate in Uzbekistan fell to 9.6% as of 1 January 2022. Compared to the same period in 2021, the unemployment rate decreased by 0.9%. This is reported by the Ministry of Employment and Labor Relations.

The total number of labor resources of Uzbekistan reached 19.345 million people, which is 202 thousand more compared to the same period in 2021. At the same time, according to the agency, the number of people employed in the economy as of 1 January 2022 amounted to 13.5 million people, which is 2.3% more compared to the same period in 2021.

The ministry noted that 6.2 million people work in the formal sector. Growth in the reporting period amounted to 6.3%. The informal sector employs 5.8 million people (-1%).

The number of those in need of work amounted to 1.44 million people. The unemployment rate among the economically active population was 9.6%. Among persons aged 16-30, unemployment is 15.1%, among women - 13.3%.

As of 1 January 2022, the number of the economically inactive population increased by 0.5% to 4.36 million people.

About 393.8 thousand people who applied to job centers were employed in 2021.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor Relations said that 506.2 thousand jobs were created in 2021.