The Asian Development Bank (ADB), in its report “Harnessing Digital Transformation for Good,” has identified Uzbekistan as a country with low levels of digitalization and digital skills. Despite developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region showing rapid digital development, the benefits are distributed unevenly. In Uzbekistan, for instance, 13% more urban residents have internet access compared to rural areas, and the speed of mobile internet in cities is 38% higher.
ADB emphasizes the need to accelerate digital transformation in low-digitalization countries like Cambodia, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan. To achieve this, investments in digital infrastructure, skill development, and digital literacy are recommended. Economically efficient solutions such as shared use of radio spectrum, infrastructure, cloud solutions, and new technologies like low-Earth orbit satellites and fixed 5G access are also proposed.
According to UNESCAP data, Uzbekistan ranked 9th among 11 countries in the region in terms of digital skills as of 2023. Only 15% of the population possesses basic skills (such as typing and copying files), while 7−8% have standard skills (software use and application installation). There is no data available for advanced skills. In comparison, Kazakhstan has 30% of its population with basic skills, 25% with standard skills, and 8% with advanced skills.
ADB also highlights that the low level of digitalization is accompanied by digital inequality. In urban areas, the average mobile internet speed is around 50 Mbps, while in rural areas, it is approximately 35 Mbps. Fixed internet is faster than mobile, with speeds reaching 70 Mbps in cities and 50 Mbps in rural areas.
ADB experts stress the importance of investing in digital skills development at all levels to ensure equal access to digital opportunities and prepare the population for future job requirements.
