The unemployment rate in Uzbekistan at the end of 2019 was 9% of the economically active population, which is 0.3% lower than in 2018, the press service of the Ministry of employment and labor relations reported.

Such data was published by the Republican scientific center for employment and labor protection of the Ministry of employment and labor relations based on the results of a December sociological survey in 108 cities and districts, which covered 4,900 households and 26,000 citizens.

The workforce is just over 19 million people, which is 0.9% more than in 2018. The number of people employed in economic sectors is 13.54 million (+2% compared to 2018). Employment in the official sector of the economy increased by 3.7% compared to 2018, their number was 5.7 million people.

The number of people in need of employment was 1.33 million. The unemployment rate among young people (16-30 years old) was 15%, and among women — 12.8%.

The number of people employed in the informal economy (excluding migrant workers) was 5.37 million. As a result of measures to legalize jobs, the number of temporary and seasonal workers decreased by 19.6 thousand, and entrepreneurs without registration and permits-by 42.8 thousand.

In 2019, the number of economically inactive people decreased by 73.9 thousand, or 9.6%, which, as the press service of the Ministry of labor notes, indicates an increase in labor and business activity of the population.

In the past year, 773.4 thousand citizens have applied to regional and city employment centers (of which just over 218 thousand people are under the age of 30). 356.9 thousand people were employed, 263.2 thousand were involved in public works, and 36.7 thousand people were sent for professional training. 57.8 thousand citizens receive unemployment benefits.

12.2 billion sums were provided to the unemployed who want to start their own business or cultivate land plots.

Temporary employment certificates were issued to more than 39.1 thousand citizens who are self-employed in the field of care for the sick and elderly, housework, furniture repair, plumbing and electrical work, car repair and washing, which will allow them to take into account their work experience and get pension rights.