STRUCTURAL TRANSFORMATION OF REGIONAL ECONOMIES IN UZBEKISTAN

Contemporary regional economies are undergoing deep structural transformations driven by deindustrialization, digitalization, environmental imperatives, and spatial polarization. These processes fundamentally reshape production systems, labor markets, and regional competitiveness. This article investigates the nature, scale, and measurement challenges of structural economic change, with a particular focus on Uzbekistan as a representative transition economy. Using official statistical data, national development indicators, and comparative international benchmarks, the study evaluates shifts in sectoral composition, digital infrastructure expansion, and the emergence of green economic activities. The findings reveal that Uzbekistan has experienced a rapid decline in traditional manufacturing employment shares, concurrent growth in service and digital sectors, and increasing investment in renewable energy and environmental modernization. However, persistent methodological limitations related to data granularity, structural heterogeneity, and measurement frameworks complicate accurate assessment. The study proposes an integrated analytical model for capturing regional economic transformation by combining structural indicators, spatial analytics, and sustainability metrics. The results contribute to the academic understanding of economic restructuring in emerging economies and provide evidence-based guidance for regional development policy.