The Impact of Fertility on the Female Employment Rate in the Samarkand Region of the Republic of Uzbekistan

The article presents some results of a study on the impact of fertility on women's employment using the example of the Samarkand region of the Republic of Uzbekistan based on data for 2014–2023. The author emphasizes the growing relevance of these issues due to the continuing key role of women in the country's economic development and raising the living standards. Issues of gender equality in the labor market are considered with an emphasis on the impact of fertility on women's employment. It is noted that ensuring gender equality is embedded in the UN Sustainable Development Goals and is studied by many international organizations. The study used methods of trend analysis, correlation and regression analysis, and a projection of possible scenarios based on special and total fertility rates. The described methodology includes several complementary methods of data analysis that allow a comprehensive assessment of the impact of fertility on female employment and modelling potential changes in employment levels with changes in fertility. The study showed a close direct relationship between the female employment rate and the overall employment rate in the region, as well as an inverse relationship between the fertility rate and female employment, which hinders their active participation in labor activity. The author concluded that a high fertility rate hurts the female employment rate since women are often forced to leave work to take care of their children. In this regard, the need to develop public policies aimed at supporting women in combining work and family responsibilities, improving access to preschool educational institutions and increasing the efficiency of their functioning is emphasized. Addressing the problems associated with women's return to the labor market after the birth of children can help reduce gender differences in employment.