Causes of Female Unemployment in Central Asia: The Case of Uzbekistan

This study investigates the short- and long-term effects of key macroeconomic and demographic factors on the female unemployment rate in the Central Asian region from 1991 to 2024. The analysis employs the ARDL–ECM econometric approach. The findings reveal that in the short term, economic growth and inflation contribute to a reduction in female unemployment, whereas an early age of marriage increases it. No short- or long-term relationship was found between birth rates and unemployment. The age of marriage is shown to have a negative and statistically significant association with the level of female unemployment. The results underscore the importance of accounting for demographic factors in formulating effective policies to increase women’s labor force participation. The conclusion offers policy recommendations, using Uzbekistan as a case study.