According to the World Bank's 2026 "Women, Business and the Law" index, Uzbekistan has secured the top position among Central Asian countries, scoring 82.1 out of 100 points. The report, which analyzes 190 nations, evaluates laws and reforms impacting women's economic opportunities as of October 1, 2025. The index is based on ten indicators: safety, mobility, work, pay, marriage, parenthood, childcare, entrepreneurship, assets, and pension, with experts for the first time assessing how effectively enacted laws are implemented in practice.

The World Bank estimates that if women had equal opportunities to work and do business as men, global GDP could increase by approximately 20%, yet the world economy currently loses up to $7 trillion annually due to the gender pay gap. No country has achieved full equality, with women having on average about 67% of the legal rights of men, but mechanisms to enforce these rights operate at only 47%. Protection from violence remains a distinct challenge, with only one-third of necessary laws aimed at combating it, and their application often faces difficulties.

Among Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan ranked first in the overall legal index: Uzbekistan – 82.1 points, Kyrgyzstan – 79.6 points, Kazakhstan – 73 points, Azerbaijan – 72.18 points, Tajikistan – 70.22 points, against a global average of 67 points. Uzbekistan recorded the best result in the region for work rights with 91.75 points, and scored a perfect 100 in pay, sharing the top spot with Kyrgyzstan.

In parenthood, Uzbekistan scored 62.5 points, lower than Kazakhstan and Tajikistan at 75 points each. For childcare, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan both achieved 100 points, with Kyrgyzstan at 91.75, Azerbaijan at 75, and Tajikistan at 41.75. In entrepreneurship, Uzbekistan scored 75 points, placing it among leaders alongside Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.

For safety, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan received 25 points each, Kyrgyzstan scored 50, Azerbaijan 31.25, and Kazakhstan 0 points. In pension systems, Kazakhstan led the region with 71.75 points, while Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan each scored 66.75 points, and Azerbaijan 65.5. Experts note that in many cases, a gap exists between enacted laws and their real-world application, particularly in areas such as work, pay, parenthood, and safety.

For instance, in safety, the legal framework is rated at 25 points, supporting mechanisms at 58.25, but practical implementation is only 9.38 points. In work, legislation scored 91.75 points, yet supporting measures are at just 25 points, with implementation levels around 50. The most balanced situation is observed in mobility, assets, and entrepreneurship. The report also highlights that Uzbekistan is among three countries in the Europe and Central Asia region where legislation considers gender aspects in public procurement.

Source: podrobno.uz