TERRITORIAL DISPARITIES IN EMPLOYMENT EFFICIENCY IN KHOREZM REGION: ASSESSMENT AND POLICY DIRECTIONS

Abstract

Employment efficiency across 13 territories of the Khorezm Region is assessed using five criteria. Criteria K1–K4 are calculated based on 39 territory-year observations for 2022–2024, while K5 reflects employment dynamics over 2021–2024. The findings indicate that interterritorial disparities are more pronounced in formal employment and external migration than in overall employment coverage. Territories with similar composite scores may nevertheless exhibit substantial differences in their weakest dimensions. Accordingly, the composite index serves as a diagnostic tool for identifying territory-specific employment constraints, assessing spatial disparities in local labor markets, and selecting context-specific policy measures aimed at improving employment efficiency.