Babayeva Umida Abdukayumovna
Independent Researcher,
Tashkent State University of Economics
ORCID: 0009-0003-6503-8421
Abstract. This paper examines the theoretical and empirical linkage between human capital and long-term economic growth in transition economies, focusing on the case of Uzbekistan. Utilizing endogenous growth theories and analyzing key macroeconomic indicators—such as GDP growth, education expenditures, and higher education enrollment—the study demonstrates a positive relationship between human capital investment and economic performance. However, critical challenges emerge, including skill mismatches in the labor market and regional disparities. The paper concludes that to sustain inclusive economic growth, Uzbekistan must shift its policy focus from the quantitative expansion of human capital toward qualitative improvements and institutional alignment with market needs.
Keywords: human capital, economic growth, transition economy, endogenous growth models, quality of education, Uzbekistan.