It is a simple yet profound truth: the future of a nation lies in the hands of its youth. To ensure that this future is bright and prosperous, the education and upbringing of young people must be at the heart of state policy. Today, educating the younger generation in line with modern requirements is a complex challenge. Where, 50 years ago, knowledge was updated every 30–32 years, just 20 years ago, this period shortened to 15–16 years, and today, changes are occurring even more rapidly. In such conditions, nurturing the youth according to new standards, fostering a generation capable of elevating their country’s prestige on the international stage—one that possesses deep knowledge, advanced thinking, and entrepreneurial skills while driving economic growth—requires significant state investment and unwavering determination.
With a population of around 38 million, of which 60% are young people, Uzbekistan has elevated youth policy to the level of national priority. Thanks to government support, many young people, particularly those from financially disadvantaged families and remote regions, are given the opportunity to realise their potential and find their place in life. This enables them to actively contribute to shaping a bright future for their homeland.
Uzbekistan is implementing large-scale reforms in higher education. One of the key measures aimed at providing young people with access to excellent education is the creation of opportunities for studying at prestigious foreign universities. As part of this initiative, 1,000 talented and promising young individuals are selected annually and awarded government grants to study at universities ranked among the world’s top 100. Upon graduation, they are directly included in the National Talent Pool, allowing them to secure employment in government institutions without undergoing a competitive selection process. This, in turn, paves the way for them to contribute to state governance in the future.
Additionally, young scholars who obtain academic degrees from TOP-100 universities can benefit from interest-free loans to purchase housing, further encouraging their return and integration into national development efforts.
In recent years, Uzbekistan’s youth have also actively demonstrated their abilities in the field of information technology on the international stage. By winning international competitions in mathematics, programming, and engineering, young specialists are strengthening the country’s reputation.
Particular attention should be given to the start-up ecosystem: youth-led projects in artificial intelligence, financial technology, and block chain are rapidly developing with support from venture funds and the government. The establishment of the IT Park in Tashkent has turned it into a hub of innovation for young developers. Thanks to this, many start-ups — such as Paymart, AIMobile, and others — have successfully entered the global market. Moreover, Uzbek IT specialists are increasingly participating in international hackathons and forums, representing the country on a global level.
In recent years, Uzbekistan has witnessed the emergence of numerous successful youth-led start-ups in e-commerce, financial technologies, and environmental solutions. One of the most prominent projects, Makro Express, founded by young entrepreneurs, has made online delivery of goods convenient and accessible across the country.
Agricultural and environmental start-ups are also gaining momentum. Young farmers are introducing innovative projects for organic farming using modern technologies. State programmes like “Yoshlar – kelajagimiz” (Youth – Our Future) provide vital support to young entrepreneurs, helping them launch projects, attract investments, and contribute to economic growth and sustainable entrepreneurship.
The remarkable achievements of Uzbekistan’s youth in recent years are a testament to the country’s ability to keep pace with the times, fostering advancements in science, sport, culture, and business. With strong government support, ambition, and perseverance, young specialists are achieving success not only within the country but also on the international stage. Given the current momentum, one can confidently assert that the future of Uzbekistan is in the capable hands of talented and determined young people.
About Nurullo Rasulov
Based in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Nurullo Rasulov is a UN Youth Champion for Disarmament, an SDG activist, and an international relations journalist. He represents Uzbekistan in Youth4Health (WHO Europe and Central Asia) and graduated from the Preventive Diplomacy Academy of UN Regional Centre for Central Asia. He is also a Masdar’s Future Sustainability Leader and cohort of the Youth for Sustainability Program.
By Nurullo Rasulov
