Sector Assistance Program Evaluation on Education in Uzbekistan

II. SECTOR 
BACKGROUND AND DEVELOPMENT CONTEXT 
A. 
The Evolving Political, Economic, and Social Setting 
5. 
Uzbekistan is a doubly landlocked country, being surrounded by countries (Afghanistan, 
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, and Tajikistan) that are themselves landlocked. It straddles the 
legendary Silk Road and, geographically, constitutes the very core of Central Asia. Uzbekistan 
is the most populous of the Central Asian republics (CARs). It is also active in the ADB-
supported Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program. 
6. 
Its population in 2008 registered at approximately 27.8 million and was growing at an 
annual rate of 1.5% (Appendix 3, Table A3.1). In 2007, an estimated 36.7% of Uzbekistan’s 
population lived in urban areas. The country is divided into 12 provinces, one autonomous 
region, and one independent city. The provinces are further subdivided into districts.
7. 
Uzbekistan’s economy has performed strongly in recent years. Real gross domestic 
product (GDP) is estimated to have grown at around 9% in 2009 (Appendix 3, Table A3.2). It 
grew at 9.5% in 2008 and 2007, and 7.5% in 2006. In 2007, agriculture accounted for 24% of 
GDP, industry 32.6%, and services 43.4%.
3
Uzbekistan has generally achieved significant 
progress in macroeconomic, structural, and institutional reforms in the past decade. Since 
independence in 1991, the government’s efforts are geared toward supporting private sector 
development (PSD), liberalizing the financial and trade sectors, fostering a conducive business 
environment, and sustaining growth and improvements in living standards. To this end, 
Uzbekistan adopted a path of gradual transition from centrally planned economic system to a 
market-based one, while ensuring self-sufficiency in its food and energy requirements. 
8. 
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) indicators of Uzbekistan show that 46.3% 
(2003) of the population live below $1.25 purchasing power parity per day. The under-5 
mortality rate per 1,000 live births in 2007 was 41% (Appendix 3, Table A3.3). The literacy rate 
of 15–24 year-olds is high at 99% (Table 1). In school year 2006–2007, about 5.7 million 
students were enrolled in 9,773 basic education schools, of which 80% were located in rural 
2
ADB. 2006. Guidelines for the Preparation of Country Assessment Program Evaluation Reports. Manila. The CAPE 
guidelines encourage evaluators to "use the CAPE evaluation framework, modified as appropriate" for preparing 
SAPE (para. 4). The 2006 guidelines are being revised and will be completed later in 2010.
3
ADB. 2009. Key Indicators for Asia and the Pacific 2009. Manila. 

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areas.
4
The state of education in Uzbekistan is generally in line with the MDG of achieving 
universal primary education (Goal 2)
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and promoting gender equality and empowering women 
through the elimination of gender disparity in education (Goal 3).
6
In this context, education is 
seen as an important intervention to combat poverty, pursue gender equality, widen 
opportunities for employment, and promote competitiveness and PSD. The fact that Uzbekistan 
is spending 8%–9% of its GDP (more than the annual average of the Organisation for Economic 
Co-operation and Development countries and much higher than other CARs)
7
is the most 
striking feature of its education sector. The education sector expenditures in Uzbekistan, 
including the percentage of its GDP from 1998 to 2009 and the estimation for 2010, are in 
Appendix 3, Table A3.4.