Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Center for Progressive Reforms has published, for the first time, a comprehensive ranking of regional development in Uzbekistan.

According to the results for 2024, Tashkent city, Navoi region, and Bukhara region made it into the top three. Tashkent achieved the strongest performance, leading the overall ranking and taking first place in five out of seven categories. At the lower end of the list were Surkhandarya, Namangan, and Jizzakh regions, with Jizzakh showing the weakest performance in education.

The methodology is based on 57 indicators across seven areas: healthcare, education, economy, infrastructure, opportunities, crime, and environment. Each indicator was evaluated on a 0–100 scale. While data from international organizations and media were considered, priority was given to official statistics from the Agency for Statistics and relevant ministries.

In healthcare, Tashkent led with 61.84 points, followed by Jizzakh region (60.48). However, Syrdarya and Tashkent regions still face shortages of pediatricians and high rates of serious illnesses.

In education, Tashkent scored 89.47 points, ahead of Bukhara and Syrdarya regions. Jizzakh (51.86) and Kashkadarya (56.54) lagged behind, largely due to low preschool coverage, raising concerns about long-term human capital development.

Economically, the capital again ranked first with 98.21 points. Syrdarya and Surkhandarya showed weak activity, with job creation and industrial growth remaining pressing issues.

In infrastructure, Tashkent (93.21) and Tashkent region (73.49) led the way, while Surkhandarya (41.10) and Jizzakh (40.86) trailed, reflecting limited internet access and poor transport links.

In the “Opportunities” category, Tashkent (91.63) and Navoi (81.74) were strongest, while Jizzakh (67.22) and Surkhandarya (65.74) scored lower.

For crime and correctional work, Syrdarya led with 80.61 points, while Khorezm and Tashkent had lower results.

On environmental indicators, Surkhandarya scored 87.48, showing positive progress in ecological preservation, while Namangan and Jizzakh ranked low.

The results highlight significant regional disparities in socio-economic development. While Tashkent leads across most areas, some regions still show notable progress. However, Jizzakh, Surkhandarya, and Namangan remain lagging in several key sectors.