The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a $250 million loan to Uzbekistan to support the EduImkon Program, a three-year initiative aimed at expanding equitable access to student financing in higher education and technical and vocational education and training (TVET). The program is expected to provide tuition loans to around 600,000 young people across the country, with approximately 80% of funds directed toward low-income students and women.
Uzbekistan has a relatively large youth population, with an estimated 10 million people aged 14–30. The government has prioritized expanding access to higher education and TVET, resulting in a near tripling of higher education institutions and an increase in youth enrollment from 8% in 2017 to 48% in 2024. However, this rapid growth has placed pressure on the student loan system, which relies on state-subsidized loans issued by commercial banks, and threatens its long-term sustainability.
The current student financing system also has limited alignment with labor market needs. Tuition loans do not prioritize high-demand fields such as STEM or ICT, which reduces graduates’ prospects of securing well-paid jobs. While women make up 55% of university students and 80% of tuition loan beneficiaries, only 33% of female students are enrolled in STEM fields.
The EduImkon Program, to be implemented from 2026 to 2028 by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, aims to address these challenges. It will modernize managerial and operational processes for student loans, improve coordination between ministries and agencies, and launch a unified digital platform to streamline loan processing, enhance transparency, and support data-driven decision-making.
The program will expand access to higher education and TVET for low-income students and women by refining eligibility criteria and adjusting interest subsidies. It will also improve the labor-market relevance of education, support financial sustainability of the loan system, and pilot an income-contingent loan mechanism to accommodate low-income graduates and those facing temporary unemployment.
By December 2028, around 600,000 students are expected to benefit from the modernized financing system through 12 participating commercial banks. Over $190 million, or about 80% of program funds, will target vulnerable students and encourage enrollment in high-demand fields, including STEM disciplines. The program is also expected to attract an additional $30 million in private capital, further expanding student lending opportunities and reducing pressure on the state budget.
