Uzbekistan improved its position in Bertelsmann Foundation Transformation Index 2022

Recently, the international non-governmental organization “Bertelsmann Foundation” announced the results of the Transformation Index for 2021.

Every two years, the Bertelsmann Foundation publishes the results of a study of a total of 137 countries based on 17 criteria for 3 main indicators: “Political transformation”, “Economic transformation” and “Governance index”.

Comparing the 2022 edition of the Transformation Index with the 2020 report, Uzbekistan’s ratings on all indicators show a positive trend, and it ranks 102 out of 137 countries, increasing by 5 places compared to the previous report (2020 107^th rank).

In particular, according to the “Political changes” indicator, Uzbekistan rose by 3 places and ranked 102^nd (in 2020 - 105^th). Experts gave a positive assessment on the sub-indicators of “Governance”, “Political participation” and “Political and social integration”.

In the report, as the main factors that caused the growth of Uzbekistan's indicators, the provision of freedom of conscience, simplification of the requirements for obtaining citizenship, political and legal reforms in nature protection, and an active policy in the direction of ensuring the independence of the courts were highlighted.

Among the indicators, the largest increase was recorded in “Economic changes”, Uzbekistan rose by 9 places compared to 2020 (98^th) and ranked 89^th. Experts gave a positive assessment to Uzbekistan on the sub-indicators of “Socio-economic development”, “Stability” and “Prosperity”.

The fight against poverty, strengthening of social protection, considerable liberalization of the economy, reduction of the types of license and authorization documents, removal of barriers to foreign trade and reform of the banking sector were especially positively evaluated by experts.

According to the “Management quality” indicator, this year Uzbekistan rose by 6 places and ranked 104^th (in 2020 - 110^th). Comparing this result with the indicator of 4 years ago, it turns out that Uzbekistan rose 13 rank (in 2018 - 117^th).

One of the biggest increases in the “Quality of Management” was recorded in the “International Relations” indicator, which increased by 2.4 points compared to 2018. This indicates that the influence of Uzbekistan abroad is increasing as a result of the large-scale reforms implemented in Uzbekistan.

As noted in the report, the indicator of Uzbekistan has been positively assessed by experts due to the strengthening of good neighborly relations, the investment environment, financial and technical support of civil society institutions, the provision of information on public bodies, the creation of a public monitoring system, the digitization of public services, and the increase of government accountability.

According to the recommendations of experts, the development of industries such as oil and gas, metallurgy, electrical engineering, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, textiles, food, as well as “green economy” can become the main force that ensures the growth of the national economy.

At the same time, it was noted that the insufficient development and excessive regulation of the state banking sector, the insufficient protection of private and intellectual property rights, the restriction of competition by state monopolies, and the presence of corruption in the field of education led to a decrease in the country's indicators.

2018-2022 results of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the Transformation Index of the Bertelsmann Foundation

Abrorjon MADIMAROV

Master’s student of London South Bank
University of Graduate School of Business faculty

Dilfuza Xabibullayeva

Officer of the Ministry of Justice of
the Republic of Uzbekistan