Leveraging Regional Economic Potential for Poverty Reduction in Uzbekistan: A Comparative Analysis of Territorial Disparities and Development Opportunities

This article examines how regional economic characteristics can inform poverty-reduction strategies in Uzbekistan. Using official regional poverty rates for 2021–2025, a comparative descriptive approach identifies differences in the pace and remaining level of poverty reduction. The analysis combines territorial statistics with contemporary literature on employment, structural transformation, and place-sensitive policy. A practical framework links regional diagnostics, local economic specialization, targeted interventions, and outcome monitoring. Findings suggest that uniform programs are unlikely to address all regional constraints equally. The analysis is descriptive rather than causal, and proposed mechanisms require independent evaluation.