6. Uzbekistan ranks high at global gender-focused indices, but there are still gender inequalities. In 2017,
Uzbekistan ranked 105
th
out of 185 countries in the Human Development Index and was categorized as a high human
development country
9
. The country was ranked 57
th
out of 188 countries in the 2017 Gender Inequality Index, primarily
due to women’s high levels of education and labor market participation. Both the Global Gender Gap Index and the
Gender Equity Index show that Uzbekistan is close to attaining gender equality in education (enrollment, educational
attainment, and literacy) and health (sex ratio at birth and healthy life expectancy). According to the 2019 L2CU, 95
percent of citizens believed that women have equal access to education, employment, and healthcare. Nevertheless,
gender disparities persist with one manifestation being that women tend to be employed in the social sector or in part-
time, seasonal, low-paying, or unskilled jobs in the formal and informal sectors
10
.
7
WB report. 2019. China/Russia 2030 – Opportunities for Central Asia’s Agriculture presents challenges and opportunities for realizing horticulture
export potential in the countries of Central Asia, including Uzbekistan.
8
Sutton, W. et al. 2013. Reducing the Vulnerability of Uzbekistan’s Agricultural Systems to Climate Change: Impact Assessment and Adaptation Options. Washington, DC: World Bank.
9
WB background paper. 2019. Enhancing the Livelihoods of Rural Women in Uzbekistan.
10
Asian Development Bank. 2018. Uzbekistan Country Gender Assessment Update.
The World Bank Agriculture Modernization Project (P158372)
Page 9 of 70
B. Sectoral and Institutional Context
