FORECASTING DIGITAL ECONOMY GROWTH IN UZBEKISTAN: A SCENARIO-BASED ECONOMETRIC ANALYSIS (2023–2030)

Authors

  • Khilola Abrueva Leading Specialist of the WTO Affairs Department, Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan +998771263676 Author

Keywords:

Digital economy growth, economic forecasting, scenario analysis, econometric modelling time series analysis, internet penetration, digital transformation, regression analysis.

Abstract

This study examines the transformation of the digital economy in Uzbekistan by applying econometric modelling and scenario-based forecasting techniques. Using annual data for the period 2010–2023, the paper estimates the impact of key digitalization indicators, including ICT development, internet penetration, and human capital, on economic growth.

The empirical analysis is based on a multiple regression model, which reveals that ICT development has a statistically significant and positive effect on GDP growth, followed by internet penetration and human capital. The model demonstrates satisfactory explanatory power and passes key diagnostic tests.

Based on the estimated relationships, the study provides forecasts for the period 2023–2030 under baseline, optimistic, and pessimistic scenarios. The results suggest that the share of the digital economy in GDP could reach 10–12% by 2030 under favourable conditions.

The findings contribute to the limited empirical literature on digital transformation in emerging economies and provide policy-relevant insights for accelerating digitalization in Uzbekistan.

References

 OECD. (2021). Digital Economy Outlook 2021. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Paris: OECD Publishing. https://www.oecd.org/digital/

 World Bank. (2022). World Development Report 2022: Data, Digitalization, and Development. Washington, DC: World Bank. https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/wdr2022

 State Statistics Committee of Uzbekistan. (2023). ICT Development and Internet Penetration Statistics 2010–2023. Tashkent: Government of Uzbekistan. https://stat.uz/en

 UNCTAD. (2023). Information Economy Report 2023: ICT Exports and Global Digital Integration. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. https://unctad.org/topic/ecommerce-and-digital-economy

 World Bank. (2023). E-Government Development Index 2023. Washington, DC: World Bank. https://publicadministration.un.org/egovkb/en-us/Data-Center

 IMF. (2023). World Economic Outlook 2023: GDP Growth and Macroeconomic Indicators. Washington, DC: International Monetary Fund. https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO

 Presidential Initiative of Uzbekistan. (2020). Digital Uzbekistan 2030 Strategy. Tashkent: Government of Uzbekistan. https://www.gov.uz/en/projects/digital-uzbekistan

Published

2026-04-03