The Role of English Proficiency in Uzbekistan’s Startup Ecosystem

Each startup ecosystem is assigned a total score, which is calculated as the sum of three subscores: quantity, quality, and business environment. For reference, see the Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2023 from our partners at StartupBlink.

One important factor influencing these scores is the English Proficiency Index. Unfortunately, Uzbekistan’s proficiency index is below average. According to the EF report, Uzbekistan scored 439, compared to the global average of 477. This places Uzbekistan below the global benchmark.

Local demo days and venture capitalists (VCs) often encourage startup founders to pitch their ideas in English. This is because scalability—from idea to MVP (Minimum Viable Product), to product-market fit, and eventually to global growth – Scalability —requires English proficiency. Founders need English for sales, communicating with investors, and building global awareness. For some venture capitalists, a founder’s inability to speak English can even be seen as a red flag.

Today, organizations like the Youth Agency, IDP, and the British Council are taking steps to improve the situation. At a recent forum for learning centers, they presented encouraging statistics, including government incentives for achieving high proficiency levels. For instance, achieving a C1 score and higher now qualifies for government funding, which is a step in the right direction.

The data reflects a significant improvement in English proficiency among Uzbek youth over the last five years. This growth indicates:

• A rising interest in international education and global opportunities.
• Effective private and government investments in English language education and training in Uzbekistan.
• Greater access to IELTS preparation, incentives and awareness.

As more students achieve higher bands, it highlights the development of a skilled, globally competitive workforce, especially IT, benefiting both individuals and the country’s broader economic and educational landscape.

However, these efforts alone are not enough. English should be established as Uzbekistan’s second language to unlock innovation and drive our startup ecosystem forward.