Factors influencing employment and its regional features in Southern Uzbekistan
Abstract
This article examines the issue of employment in the Republic of Uzbekistan, where the population is rapidly increasing and the number of new entrants to the labor market continues to grow each year—with a particular focus on the Surkhandarya Region, located in the southern part of the country. Despite possessing abundant natural resources, favorable environmental conditions, and a substantial labor force, Surkhandarya remains among the least developed regions in terms of socio-economic progress. The study employs various research methods, including statistical analysis, cartographic modeling, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and case study analysis. The article assesses the influence of geographical and demographic factors on employment in Surkhandarya—one of the regions with the lowest employment levels in Uzbekistan—and analyzes the dynamics of these factors over time. Furthermore, the research explores the interrelation between geographical and demographic factors and employment in Surkhandarya, located in the southern part of Uzbekistan. The region was evaluated using a geographical assessment scale to measure the impact of natural conditions and resources on socio-economic development. Based on data provided by the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Statistics, the study analyzes demographic factors influencing employment in Surkhandarya from 2010 to 2025 and maps these changes using GIS technologies. The findings reveal that Surkhandarya records one of the lowest employment levels among the regions of Uzbekistan despite possessing sufficient natural, socio-economic, and demographic potential. The results also indicate that ensuring sustainable employment in the region requires evidence-based measures aimed at developing underperforming economic sectors and implementing a region-specific migration policy tailored to local conditions.