77
ASSESSING THE DIGITAL ECONOMY AND SOCIETY PERFORMANCE IN
UZBEKISTAN USING EUROPEAN DESI FRAMEWORK FOR NATIONAL POLICY
ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATION
1
Sardor Pulatov
Senior Lecturer, British Management University,
MSc in Business Intelligence & Analytics,
Westminster International University in Tashkent
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14874027
Annotation
This research adapted the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) framework to
assess Uzbekistan's digital performance, identify areas for improvement, and propose
evidence-based policy recommendations to enhance the country's digital economy and
infrastructure. Aligned with the "Digital Uzbekistan 2030" strategy, the study employed a
quantitative approach, combining primary data from surveys of 62 enterprises and secondary
data from government and international sources. Data analysis followed the DESI
Methodological Note, focusing on its four dimensions. Ethical practices, such as voluntary
participation and reliance on open-source data, were maintained. The study revealed
Uzbekistan's DESI score of 0.42, comparable to lower-performing EU countries, highlighting
significant gaps in Human Capital and Connectivity. Despite limitations like data availability,
regional disparities, and a small sample size, the research offers critical insights and
actionable recommendations for advancing Uzbekistan's digital transformation.
Keywords:
Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI), policy recommendations, Human
Capital, Connectivity, quantitative research, Digital Uzbekistan 2030, data analysis, digital
transformation.
Annotatsiya
Ushbu tadqiqot Raqamli Iqtisodiyot va Jamiyat Indeksi (DESI) doirasini Oʻzbekistonning
raqamli koʻrsatkichlarini baholash, takomillashtirish yoʻnalishlarini aniqlash va mamlakatning
raqamli iqtisodiyoti va infratuzilmasini rivojlantirish boʻyicha dalillarga asoslangan siyosiy
tavsiyalar ishlab chiqish uchun moslashtirdi. "Raqamli Oʻzbekiston 2030" strategiyasiga
muvofiq, tadqiqot 62 ta korxona soʻrovidan olingan birlamchi maʼlumotlar va davlat va
xalqaro manbalardan olingan ikkilamchi maʼlumotlarni birlashtirgan miqdoriy yondashuvdan
foydalandi. Maʼlumotlar tahlili DESI Metodologik Izohiga muvofiq, uning toʻrtta yoʻnalishiga
eʼtibor qaratgan holda amalga oshirildi. Koʻngilli ishtirok etish va ochiq manbali
maʼlumotlarga tayanish kabi axloqiy amaliyotlar saqlanib qoldi. Tadqiqot Oʻzbekistonning
DESI balli 0,42 ni tashkil etganini koʻrsatdi, bu Yevropa Ittifoqining past natijali
mamlakatlariga teng boʻlib, Inson Kapitali va Ulanishda sezilarli kamchiliklar mavjudligini
taʼkidlaydi. Maʼlumotlarning mavjudligi, hududiy tafovutlar va kichik namuna hajmi kabi
cheklovlariga qaramay, tadqiqot Oʻzbekistonning raqamli transformatsiyasini rivojlantirish
uchun muhim tushunchalar va amaliy tavsiyalar beradi.
Kalit soʻzlar:
Raqamli Iqtisodiyot va Jamiyat Indeksi (DESI), siyosiy tavsiyalar, Inson
Kapitali, Ulanish, miqdoriy tadqiqot, Raqamli Oʻzbekiston 2030, maʼlumotlar tahlili, raqamli
transformatsiya.
Relevance of the Problem
78
Digital technologies are rapidly reshaping economies, societies, and public services
around the world. Nations failing to adapt risk stagnation in growth, diminished global
competitiveness, and broader societal inequities. Uzbekistan, with over 36 million citizens,
acknowledges this through its “Digital Uzbekistan 2030” strategy—an ambitious plan aimed
at boosting technology adoption, strengthening infrastructure, and improving citizens’ digital
skills.
Despite noticeable advances, Uzbekistan faces critical obstacles in achieving robust
digital transformation. Rural regions still lack reliable, high-speed broadband; data collection
standards and quality remain uneven; and digital literacy levels vary widely, with limited
advanced ICT expertise. Addressing these bottlenecks requires a clear roadmap, anchored by
metrics that inform policymakers and stakeholders about the country’s progress and identify
areas most in need of reform.
Among global metrics frameworks, the European Union’s Digital Economy and Society
Index (DESI) stands out for its comprehensiveness. By tracking four key dimensions—
Connectivity, Human Capital, Integration of Digital Technology, and Digital Public Services—it
offers a powerful benchmark. Adapting DESI to Uzbekistan’s context can help measure digital
performance, compare it with EU states, and shape evidence-based policies that accelerate
digital adoption nationwide.
Purpose of the Research
The primary aim of this research is to adapt the DESI framework to Uzbekistan,
calculating a country-specific digital performance score and pinpointing priority areas for
policy intervention. The study examines how Uzbekistan ranks relative to EU countries,
shedding light on the scale of improvements needed in each DESI dimension. Ultimately, this
analysis endeavors to guide efforts under “Digital Uzbekistan 2030,” promoting inclusive
digital infrastructure, stronger ICT skills, and more efficient public services.
Methodology
A quantitative research design underpins the study, focusing on a balanced blend of
primary and secondary data. Secondary data came from official government portals, statistical
agencies, and international organizations such as the United Nations Development
Programme. These sources detailed internet usage rates, the number of ICT specialists and
firms, and the quality of e-government services.
Primary data collection involved administering a survey to 62 enterprises. Adapted from
Eurostat, the questionnaire targeted indicators aligned with DESI’s four dimensions:
broadband uptake, ICT adoption in business, advanced digital skills, and use of e-government
services. Although limited in sample size, these surveys shed light on emerging digital trends
within Uzbekistan’s corporate sector.
Following data gathering, the study applied DESI’s methodological principles—assigning
weights and normalizing indicator scores to a 0–1 scale—to yield composite results. Where
indicators differed from EU norms, modifications were made. For instance, average internet
price replaced the EU broadband cost index due to differences in how Uzbekistan collects
pricing data. The four DESI dimensions each accounted for 25% of the total score, maintaining
the balance used in EU member-state evaluations.
Results and Discussions
After compiling the data and applying the adapted DESI calculation, Uzbekistan scored
79
0.42 (42%) overall. This places it on par with several lower-performing EU nations,
highlighting sizeable gaps in infrastructure and skills.
1.
Human Capital
Human Capital scored 0.32 locally. Although 65.8% of Uzbekistan’s population are
internet users, advanced digital skills remain limited. The number of ICT graduates and
companies is growing, yet still small relative to population size. Many businesses and
government offices report a shortage of specialized personnel adept in data analytics, AI, or
cloud computing. Basic literacy is gradually improving, but deeper skill-building—through
better ICT curricula, vocational training, and upskilling programs—remains essential to
develop a robust tech-ready workforce.
2.
Connectivity
Connectivity emerged as a critical weak point in comparison to EU countries, scoring
0.09 on the EU-aligned scale. Mobile broadband coverage is relatively strong and affordable,
but fixed broadband take-up is low, and rural areas often have unreliable service.
Additionally, average internet speeds lag behind global standards, limiting advanced digital
applications like high-quality video conferencing or real-time data analytics. Prioritizing
infrastructure investments—especially high-speed broadband—can foster more equitable
access and support “Digital Uzbekistan 2030” targets.
3.
Integration of Digital Technology
Surprisingly, Uzbekistan posted a stronger showing (0.12) in this dimension, placing it
in the upper tier among EU comparators. However, this higher score largely reflects responses
from a sample of digitally proactive enterprises. They reported widespread social media use,
significant uptake of big data, and moderate use of e-invoicing and cloud services. In practice,
these technologies remain unevenly distributed across regions and industries. Broader
adoption of e-commerce, AI-driven solutions, and advanced data processing tools can help
firms increase productivity, expand markets, and create more jobs.
4.
Digital Public Services
Uzbekistan scored 0.12, near the lower end when benchmarked with EU peers. It is
encouraging that 2.3 million individuals used the national e-government portal in 2022, with
further growth in early 2023. Around 58% of government services are now online, reflecting a
genuine push to improve service delivery. Still, user uptake remains modest, partially due to
limited public awareness and varying connection quality. Expanding the range and
sophistication of these services, as well as investing in simpler, user-friendly interfaces, could
bolster overall engagement. Higher open-data availability—measured with the Open Data
Inventory—can also drive innovation and transparency.
In comparing Uzbekistan’s performance with EU countries, Nordic nations (Finland,
Denmark, Sweden) stand out with top scores above 0.65. Romania, Bulgaria, and Greece
register similar or slightly lower scores than Uzbekistan in some dimensions. This global
perspective underlines the urgency for Uzbekistan to rapidly enhance connectivity, deepen
digital skills, and enhance e-government.
Conclusion
Adapting the DESI framework to Uzbekistan offers a clear glimpse of the country’s
digital trajectory, revealing both bright spots and pressing challenges. The overall score of
0.42 highlights the need to improve human capital development and connectivity, while
80
supporting broader technology integration in businesses and the public sector. Policy
measures could include intensified ICT education at all academic levels, strategic
infrastructure investments in underserved areas, and more extensive e-government services
to drive citizen engagement.
This study provides a reproducible baseline for Uzbekistan’s digital economy, one that
can be recalculated annually to gauge progress and guide “Digital Uzbekistan 2030.” By
systematically tracking these metrics, policymakers can better prioritize resources, align
interventions, and foster a more inclusive, innovative, and competitive digital landscape
across the nation.
References:
1.
Akhrorova, A.D., 2022. Trends in the digitalization of the economy of Tajikistan and its
banking sector.
2.
Bakhodir o’gli, E.S. & Farkhod o’gli, R.U., 2022. Development of the Digital Economy in
the Republic of Uzbekistan, Market Analysis of Trends in Information and Communication
Technologies.
American Journal of Social and Humanitarian Research
, 3(3), pp.161-169.
3.
Bánhidi, Z., Dobos, I. and Nemeslaki, A., 2020. What the overall Digital Economy and
Society Index reveals: A statistical analysis of the DESI EU28 dimensions.
Regional Statistics,
10(2), pp.42-62.
4.
Başol, O. and Yalçın, E. C., 2021. 'How Does the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI)
Affect Labor Market Indicators in EU Countries?'. pp.503-512.
5.
Ciobotea, M., Dobrotă, E. M., Stan, M. and Săracu, A. F., 2022. 'Digitalization in Romania
Measured with DESI'.
6.
European Commission. (2021). Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) 2021 Report.
https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/desi
7.
European Commission, 2022. Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) 2022. [online]
Available at: https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/digital-economy-and-society-
index-desi-2022 [Accessed 1 March 2023].
8.
Gazeta.uz. (2021, May). Research of digital economy of Uzbekistan: investments in the IT
sector grew 4 times over 4 years. Retrieved April 20, 2023, from
https://www.gazeta.uz/ru/2021/05/05/research/
9.
GSMA. (2022, June). Mobile Connectivity Index. Retrieved April 25, 2023, from
https://www.mobileconnectivityindex.com/connectivityIndex.html
10.
Imre, D. and András, N., 2019. 'Recalculation of Digital Economy and Society Indicator
(DESI) Overall Indicators with DEA: Case Hungary'.
11.
International Association of Mobile Operators. (2022, June). Global Innovation Index.
Retrieved April 22, 2023, from https://www.wipo.int/edocs/pubdocs/en/wipo-pub-2000-
2022-section1-en-gii-2022-at-a-glance-global-innovation-index-2022-15th-edition.pdf
12.
Issina, B., Bekzhanova, S., Ananiev, S. and Kenzhekeeva, A., 2022, September. Prospects
for the development of digital economy in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
In AIP Conference
Proceedings (Vol. 2449, No. 1, p. 040001).
AIP Publishing LLC.
13.
IT Park Uzbekistan, 2023. Assessment of the IT Market and Digital Entrepreneurship
81
Environment in the Republic of Uzbekistan. Tashkent: IT Park Uzbekistan.
14.
Kobilov, A. and Sh, R., 2022. THE LEGAL BASIS FOR THE FORMATION OF DIGITAL
ECONOMY UZBEKISTAN. Экономика и социум, (10-1 (101)), pp.77-83.
15.
Komendantova, N., Rovenskaya, E., Strelkovskii, N. and Rodriguez, F.S., 2022. Impacts of
Various Connectivity Processes in Central Asia on Sustainable Development of Kyrgyzstan.
Sustainability, 14(12),
p.6998.
16.
Kovács, T., Bittner, B. and Nábrádi, A., 2022. 'The Integration of Digital Technologies in
the European Union based on the DESI Index'.
ENTRENOVA - ENTerprise REsearch
InNOVAtion
, 8(1), pp.337-349. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.54820/entrenova-2022-0029
17.
Ministry for the Development of Information Technologies and Communications of the
Republic of Uzbekistan. (2022, June). Digital economy and society performance. Retrieved
April 24, 2023, from https://mitc.uz/ru/news/1561
18.
Mukhamedovich, P.G. and Uktamovna, K.L., 2022. Evaluation of the Level of
Development of the Digital Economy, International Indices and the Current State of the Level
of Development of the Digital Economy in Uzbekistan.
Global Research Network
, 5(8).
19.
Murotovich, M.F., 2022. THE EXPERIENCE OF UZBEKISTAN IN THE TRANSITION TO A
DIGITAL ECONOMY: THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK. World Economics and Finance Bulletin, 11,
pp.49-50.
20.
my.gov.uz,
2023.
Statistic
Page.
[online]
Available
at:
https://my.gov.uz/ru/site/statistic-page [Accessed 1 March 2023].
21.
Nazarov, O. and Ibrohimova, I., 2022. The most digitally advanced regions in Uzbekistan.
Evidence based on adapted IDI index.
Economy: Analysis and Forecasts
, 20(4).
22.
Open Data Watch, 2020. Country Profile: Uzbekistan. [online] Available at:
https://odin.opendatawatch.com/Report/countryProfileUpdated/UZB?year=2020 [Accessed
1 May 2023].
23.
Qaxxorovna, T.G., 2023. The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Economy. Web of
Synergy: International Interdisciplinary Research Journal, 2(2), pp.57-61.
24.
Samieva, M. and Madyarova, M., 2022. The Growth of ICT indicators in the Digital
Economy of Uzbekistan.
Eurasian Research Bulletin
, 15.
25.
Sheraliyev, M.Z. and Jurabayeva, M.G., 2022. The development path of the Republic of
Uzbekistan is in the case of" Digital Uzbekistan 2030". Zien Journal of Social Sciences and
Humanities, 7, pp.7-9.
26.
Skare, M., de Obesso, M. M. and Ribeiro-Navarrete, S., 2023. 'Digital transformation and
European small and medium enterprises (SMEs): A comparative study using digital economy
and society index data'.
International Journal of Information Management
, 68, 102594.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2022.102594
27.
Speedtest Ookla. (2022, August). Uzbekistan Median Speeds. Retrieved April 27, 2023,
from https://www.speedtest.net/
28.
Spot.uz (2021, December). Uzbekistan ranked 89th in the ranking home internet speeds.
Retrieved April 18, 2023, from https://www.spot.uz/ru/2021/12/28/broadband-internet/
29.
State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Statistics. (2022, June). Number of
Internet subscribers, mobile communication stations, and mobile subscribers. Retrieved April
82
23, 2023, from https://stat.uz/en/2-uncategorised/6366-457457457-3
30.
Unified interactive government services portal. (2022). Electronic services and
applications on the SPSI portal. Retrieved April 29, 2023, from https://my.gov.uz/ru/all-
services?id=9
31.
UNDP (United Nations Development Programme), 2022. Исследование оон:
Электронное правительство 2022. New York: UNDP.
