Uzbekistan Issues 7.7 Trillion Soums in Education Loans

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan issued nearly 7.7 trillion soums in education loans from 2021 through the end of the third quarter of 2026.

The number of loans exceeded 663,000. More than 5.8 trillion soums of the total was allocated to support women’s and girls’ education, with over 515,000 loans issued to them.

The figures were announced on 23 October at a consultative meeting on improving the education loan system and reforms under the EduImkon programme.

The meeting was organised by Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Economy and Finance and the World Bank, the ministry reported.

Participants included representatives of the ministry, the World Bank, relevant government agencies, commercial banks, universities and public organisations.

Discussions covered the current state of the loan system, results achieved, improvements to financing mechanisms and the efficient use of budget funds.

One of the main topics was the EduImkon programme, which is financed by the World Bank with US$250 million.

The programme aims to expand equal access to higher education, align education financing with labour market needs and ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the student loan system.

The meeting also addressed targeted support for women and girls, children from low-income families and students pursuing priority fields of study.

Participants discussed digitising loan applications, monitoring and repayment. They also examined international experience with repayment mechanisms linked to graduates’ incomes.

Attendees were briefed on plans to develop a financial and economic model for the system with the involvement of international experts, assess the existing digital platform and analyse the relationship between education loans and labour market needs.

The meeting also considered proposals to provide loans for studying at foreign universities ranked among the world’s top 300, as well as for short-term vocational training and language courses abroad.

Discussions focused on financing conditions and limits, the quality of educational institutions, repayment procedures and graduates’ future employment. These mechanisms remain at the proposal stage.

Participants also exchanged views on incorporating social and environmental factors, ensuring inclusivity and improving procedures for handling applications and complaints.

The proposals raised at the meeting will be taken into account when developing further reforms. The ministry will continue working with the World Bank and other partners to improve the education financing system.