Uzbekistan Among Asia’s Fastest Poverty Reduction Leaders – ADB

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan has recorded one of the strongest reductions in poverty among developing economies in the Asia-Pacific region, according to a new report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) presented at its 59th Annual Meeting in Samarkand.

The 2026 ADB policy report, “Global Value Chains and Inclusive Development,” shows that Uzbekistan is among the top performers in reducing the share of its population living below the poverty line. The data covers the period from 2000 to 2023 and uses a poverty threshold of US$3 per day based on 2021 purchasing power parity.

The report highlights that the region’s integration into global production networks has contributed significantly to poverty reduction across developing Asia-Pacific economies. Over the period studied, the share of developing economies in global value chain trade doubled from 9% to 18%, supporting job creation, economic growth and improved living standards.

Central and West Asia, which includes Uzbekistan, remains one of the least integrated subregions in global production networks, accounting for just 6% of total Asia-Pacific global value chain trade in 2023. By comparison, developing East Asia accounts for 30% and Southeast Asia for 16%.

ADB Chief Economist Albert Park said growing geoeconomic fragmentation is limiting opportunities for firms to benefit from global value chains, which risks slowing industrialization and growth in countries stuck in lower-income segments of production.

“To close this gap, it is essential to support less developed economies in taking advantage of new technologies and strengthening infrastructure, logistics and business environments to improve productivity and competitiveness,” Park said.

The report notes that developing Asia-Pacific economies achieved sustained economic growth between 2000 and 2023, with weighted average per capita income growth exceeding 5% annually. This enabled many countries in the region to significantly narrow the income gap with advanced economies, with per capita income rising from about 13% to 26% of developed economy levels.

However, gains from participation in global value chains remain uneven. Countries that both integrated into global production networks and moved up the value chain into more complex, higher-value activities achieved stronger and more sustainable growth outcomes.

Between 2000 and 2023, economies in the Asia-Pacific region that successfully upgraded their production structures grew at an average rate of 6% annually. Economies that integrated without upgrading grew at 4.4%, while those remaining on the periphery of global value chains grew at 3.9%.

The report identifies three policy priorities for supporting integration into global value chains. Resilience is becoming increasingly important for competitiveness amid rising uncertainty and fragmentation.

Environmental sustainability is also becoming a defining requirement for participation in global production networks, as compliance with environmental standards becomes more widespread.

Inclusiveness remains a central objective, requiring coordinated efforts to reduce trade costs through infrastructure investment, skills development, and improved access for small and medium-sized enterprises to finance, digital platforms and export opportunities.

The ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting sustainable, inclusive and resilient growth in the Asia-Pacific region. Founded in 1966, it is owned by 69 members, 50 of which are from the region.