Employment, wages and social-labor indicators in Uzbekistan’s industry: a statistical assessment

Regional and branch economy
Authors:
Nurmatov D.N.
Abstract:

The relevance of the study is determined by the fact that industrial modernization in countries with emerging market economies changes not only the technological parameters, but also measurable employment characteristics: the number of jobs, wage levels, the degree of formalization of labor relations, workplace safety and the coverage of collective bargaining agreements. The aim of the article is to provide a statistical assessment of employment, wages, and labor-related social indicators in Uzbekistan’s industry in 2020−2025 in the context of digital modernization. The methodological framework combines comparative, structural-dynamic, and institutional analysis, while the empirical base includes official data from the National Statistics Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the national Sustainable Development Goals monitoring platform. The article examines the dynamics of industrial output, employment, and wages, as well as indicators characterizing selected dimensions of decent work: informal employment, the gender wage gap, occupational injuries, and the prevalence of collective bargaining agreements. The findings show that in 2021−2025, the industry of Uzbekistan remained one of the main drivers of economic growth; however, the positive dynamics of output and wages were not accompanied by a proportional improvement in all labor-related social parameters. Limitations associated with persistent informality, income heterogeneity within industry, and unstable dynamics in occupational safety indicators are identified. The scientific contribution lies in presenting decent work parameters not as a general normative concept but as a system of statistically observable sectoral indicators applied to Uzbekistan’s industry with a focus on the automotive sector. The practical significance of the study consists in its potential use for improving industrial policy, employment policy and sectoral monitoring of job quality. It is concluded that industrial policy needs to be combined with measures to formalize employment, reduce occupational risks, and develop sectoral statistical tools for assessing job quality.

Key words:
industrial employmentwagessocial-labor indicatorsdecent workindustrydigital modernizationjob qualityautomotive industryUzbekistan
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