TASHKENT, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Uzbekistan plans to reduce its national poverty rate to 4.5 percent by 2026, the country announced Tuesday.

Uzbekistan's poverty rate stood at 8.9 percent at the start of this year and is expected to decline to 6 percent by year-end, with a further target of reduction to 4.5 percent for next year, according to a statement released by the presidential press service.

The country, with a population of over 38 million, plans to strengthen community-level initiatives, including expanding services that support sustainable employment, creating new income sources, offering vocational training, and encouraging entrepreneurship among residents, read the statement.

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said in September 2024 that poverty reduction in Uzbekistan would become "a nationwide movement." In September 2025, Mirziyoyev said that the country aims to eliminate absolute poverty by 2030. ■