In an article by Mushtariy Usmonova, published in a collection of materials from the international conference “Digitalization and Transformation of the Social Order in Central Asian Countries” (Astana, 2025), the author analyzes the transformation of the country's labor market in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The author considers digitalization as a key driver of structural changes in the economy, the formation of platform employment, and the growth of the global gig economy, which challenge traditional models of labor organization and social protection of workers.
Particular attention is paid to the national dynamics of Uzbekistan's digital economy. Usmonova emphasizes that the “Digital Uzbekistan – 2030” strategy and the active development of the IT sector are creating conditions for the country to become a regional IT hub. The growth in the gross value added of the industry, the expansion of digital services exports, and institutional support through IT Park testify to the formation of a new employment segment and the emergence of the “IT class” as a socio-economic phenomenon.
The article details the key trends in digital employment: a sharp increase in the number of self-employed people, the spread of remote work and freelancing, and the inclusion of Uzbek specialists in international digital labor networks. The author shows that the digital sector is becoming an important source of income for young people and new professional groups, while identifying problems of regional inequality, a shortage of skilled workers, and insufficient social protection for platform workers.
Concluding the study, Usmonova highlights both the challenges and significant opportunities of digital employment for the sustainable development of Uzbekistan. The digital economy is seen as a tool for diversifying exports, expanding labor inclusion for women and youth, developing regions, and forming a new middle class. The article is an important contribution to understanding the socio-economic consequences of digital transformation in Central Asia and the prospects for labor market modernization.
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