Youth Of Uzbekistan And Digital Literacy: Current Status, Development Factors, And Policy-Ecosystem Pathways

Abstract

Digital literacy has become a prerequisite for young people’s educational attainment, employability, civic participation, and resilience against online risks. This paper examines the current status of youth digital literacy in Uzbekistan and identifies the main factors shaping its development. Using a scoping review and document-based analysis, the study synthesizes evidence from national strategies, international ICT indicators, and program reports related to youth digital skills. The analysis indicates that rapid expansion of connectivity and state-led digital transformation initiatives have created favorable conditions for youth engagement with digital services, learning platforms, and emerging labor markets. However, the distribution of digital literacy remains uneven due to infrastructure quality gaps, socioeconomic differences, language and content barriers, and variable institutional capacity in schools and training ecosystems.