Book Chapter
Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan has been distinguished among the economies in transition from central planning by its gradual economic reform strategy and authoritarian political system. By most measures it ranks as one of the least reformed economies and least liberal states in Eastern Europe or the Former Soviet Union (FSU). Uzbekistan's economic performance has, however, been relatively strong with a modest drop in output by transition economy standards, and the increase in poverty has been moderated by an innovative social protection system. This chapter analyses changes in its social and economic structure during the transition era.The first section summarizes the economic and social structure of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic. The next two sections review the transition process since independence, and analyse the impact of transition on the income distribution and poverty in Uzbekistan. The fourth section describes the innovative social security delivery system based on local organizations which target assistance to poor households. This institution has also played a role in exerting social control, and the broader picture of the political and social structure in independent Uzbekistan is addressed in the fifth section. The final section draws some conclusions.