Child poverty in Uzbekistan fell almost fourfold in five years, Mirziyoyev says

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said child poverty in Uzbekistan has fallen almost fourfold over the past five years, while preschool education coverage rose from 27.7% to 78%. He made the remarks in an address to participants of the World Summit on the Future and Well-being of Children, which opened on October 21 in Samarkand.

Mirziyoyev said a child's well-being cannot be judged only by their future success or income, and that every child already has the right to care, safety, quality education and medical help. "The value of a child is not measured by what profession he chooses in the future or what income he will bring," he said.

Among the reported results, the president cited a halving of maternal deaths during childbirth and of the number of children with developmental delays. Nearly 100% of six-year-olds are covered by school preparation, and access to higher education rose from 9% to 45%. Inclusive schools have increased fivefold in two years, and more than 85% of children with disabilities are covered by educational services.