Regional disparities in the socioeconomic development of Uzbekistan

The regional disparities in the socioeconomic development are observed in all countries of the world and are given by objective and subjective reasons. This article provides an overview of a study of regional backwardness in the Republic of Uzbekistan; it also identifi es common features among lagging regions and possible reasons for this state. Uzbekistan is divided into 14 regions. By means of the statistical analysis of socioeconomic indicators and empiric study, 5 regions were found to belong into a group of regions with low level of socioeconomic development: Autonomic Republic of Karakalpakstan, Khorezm, Namangan, Syrdarya and Surkhandarya. Even though the absolute elimination of regional disparities is not possible, if they continue to be ignored, they could undermine the socioeconomic and political situation in the country.