Women’s entrepreneurship in Uzbekistan: economic significance and persistent challenges

Main Article Content

Yokutjon Abdullaeva
Eva Benková

Abstract

Women’s entrepreneurship has become one of the fastest-growing segments of Uzbekistan’s small business sector. The article examines its economic significance, the policy framework behind its recent growth, its position relative to Kazakhstan and Russia, and the barriers that still limit women’s business potential. The analysis shows that the main constraints are structural rather than legal: unpaid care work, limited access to finance, uneven enforcement of laws, and social norms. Practical recommendations for policymakers and support institutions are proposed.

Article Details

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Yokutjon Abdullaeva, & Eva Benková. (2026). Women’s entrepreneurship in Uzbekistan: economic significance and persistent challenges. Partner Conferences of the International Scientific Journal Research Focus, 55-59. https://doi.org/10.66073/ReFocus-Conf/0910006

References

UNDP Uzbekistan. Women’s Entrepreneurship in Uzbekistan: Assessment and Recommendations. Tashkent, 2025.

World Bank. Women, Business and the Law 2026 (as reported by Kursiv Uzbekistan, 26 February 2026).

The Times of Central Asia. Women in Enterprise Panel Highlights Uzbekistan’s Push for Female Entrepreneurship. June 2026.

Saidakbarova Z. Institutional Factors in the Development of Women’s Entrepreneurship in Rural Uzbekistan. Zenodo, 2026.

Octobank: Women’s entrepreneurship is becoming a driver of economic growth in Uzbekistan. IPS News, March 2026.

Bureau of National Statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Data on small and medium-sized business entities headed by women as of 1 January 2024 (as reported by 716.kz, March 2024).

Corporation for SME Development (Russia). The number of women entrepreneurs in Russia has grown to 1.8 million. Moscow, March 2025.

BusinessRost. Women’s share in business (data as of December 2025). March 2026.