Uzbekistan to raise unemployment benefits while tightening eligibility rules

Unemployment benefits in Uzbekistan will be increased, but the conditions for receiving them will become stricter. This is stated in a presidential decree dated 4 August. According to the document, starting from 1 November 2025, unemployment benefits will be paid only to individuals whose employment contracts have been terminated.

The benefit will be paid to individuals who have worked for at least 18 months in the past five years and who apply within six months of the termination of their employment contract. Payments will be made for three months, based on the average monthly salary over the last 1.5 years.

In the first month, the benefit will be paid at a rate of 75% of the average monthly salary, but not exceeding three times the minimum wage (from 1 August – UZS 3.813 million). Previously, the benefit amount was 50% of the average monthly salary.

In the following months, the unemployment benefit will be paid at 50% of the average monthly salary, again capped at three times the minimum wage (UZS 3.813 million).

To receive the benefit again, a person must have worked officially for at least 12 months after the initial benefit period has ended.

If the recipient fails to attend an interview arranged by the employment services or for announced vacancies, or refuses a suitable job offer, payments will be discontinued from the first day of the following month.