More than 2,000 officials will be laid off in Uzbekistan because of AI

Uzbekistan will lay off 2,115 employees of state bodies as part of optimization through the introduction of digital solutions and artificial intelligence. This is stipulated by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's decree No. UP-176 of October 4, 2025.

The cuts will affect 35 agencies. The Tax Committee (486 employees), the Ministry of Water Resources (224) and the Ministry of Construction (136) will be the most affected.

The leaders have been instructed to create commissions for staff optimization within a week. The Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction is to ensure that those laid off are employed.

According to the decree, the goal of the reform is to increase the efficiency of state administration and reduce duplication of functions.