In the context of accelerating globalization and urbanization processes in the world economy, the role of small businesses in ensuring economic growth, employment, and social stability in densely populated areas is becoming increasingly significant. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), more than 90 percent of enterprises worldwide belong to the small and medium-sized business sector, and these enterprises account for nearly 70 percent of total employment [1]. In the European Union, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) constitute more than 99 percent of all enterprises and generate approximately 52–55 percent of gross value added, while in the United States small businesses contribute nearly half of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) [2].

The experience of developed countries confirms that small businesses have a substantial share in GDP and play a crucial role in ensuring employment. In this regard, the organizational and economic aspects of small business development in densely populated areas, their specific characteristics, criteria for evaluating business efficiency, the potential of small business entities, the development of regional strategies based on a differentiated approach, and the determination of promising development parameters are considered among the priority areas of scientific research.

In New Uzbekistan, population growth and the uneven distribution of population across regions, particularly the increasing employment challenges in densely populated cities and districts, have made the effective employment of the growing labor force a priority task. To address these challenges, strategic objectives have been established to improve the business environment in the regions, support new business initiatives, and increase the share of small and medium-sized businesses to 55 percent of GDP, 34 percent of industrial output, 34 percent of exports, and 75 percent of total employment [3].

The development of small businesses in densely populated areas is one of the key factors for achieving sustainable economic growth and socio-economic balance across regions. These areas possess significant opportunities for maximizing the use of available resources, increasing employment, strengthening local production, and meeting domestic market demand. However, achieving these objectives requires a systematic and strategic approach to organizing and supporting entrepreneurial activities.

II. Literature Review

The development of small businesses in densely populated areas is considered one of the important research directions in economic science. Studies conducted in this field primarily focus on examining the impact of entrepreneurial activity on economic growth, employment, and regional development.

One of the founders of entrepreneurship theory, J. Schumpeter, regarded entrepreneurship as the main driver of economic development and emphasized that innovations contribute to the modernization of economic systems and the improvement of production efficiency [4]. According to his view, the establishment of new enterprises and the implementation of innovative ideas stimulate economic activity and foster sustainable development.

M. Porter developed the theory of regional competitiveness and industrial clusters, demonstrating that when enterprises are concentrated within a particular geographical area, production efficiency and innovative activity tend to increase [5]. This approach provides a theoretical foundation for the development of small businesses in densely populated regions, where the concentration of enterprises can generate synergistic effects and enhance regional competitiveness.

In studies conducted by D. Birch, it was demonstrated that small business entities play a significant role in creating new jobs [6]. According to the scholar, small enterprises are particularly important in maintaining the balance between labor supply and demand in the labor market.

Among local researchers, Q.X. Abdurahmonov investigated the role of entrepreneurship in ensuring employment and substantiated that small business is an important factor contributing to economic growth and social stability [7]. The scientific works of S.S. G‘ulomov and B.Yu. Xodiyev highlight the role of small business and private entrepreneurship in the national economy, their impact on regional development, and the mechanisms of state support for entrepreneurial activities [8].

Recent studies published by the World Bank, the OECD, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) indicate that the contribution of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to economic development has been steadily increasing. These studies emphasize that improving the business environment, particularly in highly urbanized and densely populated regions, is a crucial factor for achieving sustainable economic growth [9]. Furthermore, the rapid development of digital technologies, e-commerce, and innovative entrepreneurship is creating new opportunities and prospects for small business development.

The review of existing studies reveals that although the significance of small businesses in economic development has been extensively examined, insufficient attention has been paid to improving the organizational and economic mechanisms of small business development while considering the demographic characteristics, infrastructure provision, and regional disparities of densely populated areas. Therefore, further research in this field remains highly relevant and necessary.

This study employed both general and specialized scientific research methods to assess the prospects for small business development in densely populated areas and to determine its economic efficiency. During the research process, a systematic approach, comparative analysis, economic-statistical analysis, grouping methods, time-series analysis, index methods, and economic forecasting techniques were extensively utilized [10].

The analysis was based on data obtained from the National Statistics Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan, reports of regional statistical departments, and official statistical indicators related to economic development and poverty reduction. Comparative analyses across different regions were conducted to identify the specific characteristics of small business development in densely populated areas.

The study examined key indicators of small business activity, including the number of enterprises, employment levels, the volume of goods and services produced, investment volumes, and regional economic growth indicators. The relationships among these indicators were analyzed using economic-statistical methods, enabling an assessment of the correlation between population density and small business development [11].

In addition, the research applied the methods of scientific abstraction, induction, and deduction to identify promising directions for the development of small businesses in densely populated areas. Based on the findings, practical proposals and recommendations were developed to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of small business activities in such regions.

Table 1 .

Main Economic Indicators of Small Business Activity in Andijan Region (2015–2024 )

Andijan city is the economic, financial and innovation center of the region, the most densely populated and labor-rich city. It has a solid infrastructure for the development of small businesses in such areas as services, information technologies, small-scale production, social services and e-commerce. According to the results of the analysis, Andijan city is expected to achieve the following prospects in 2025-2030:

• Development of small businesses through IT clusters, startup zones, e-services.

• Support for youth entrepreneurship through digital trading platforms.

• Attracting small businesses to the service industry (healthcare, education, logistics).

The city of Khanabad is a promising area for tourism and craft clusters. Khanabad is a small town, distinguished by its natural landscape, historical monuments and transport proximity. Since there is a high possibility to specialize in ecotourism, family businesses, and the creation of local brands, in 2025-2030, KBRI will achieve great results in this area if the scale of small businesses based on ecological tourism, women's entrepreneurship, and national handicrafts is expanded, and clustering of family hotels, ceramics, and textiles is accelerated.

As we mentioned above, Asaka district is a center of industrial cooperation and service services. Asaka district is famous for machine-building industry (GM Uzbekistan), industrial infrastructure and transport-logistics opportunities are developed. In this area, there is an opportunity to integrate small business entities into industrial sectors. In this district, it is possible to achieve high results if the production of spare parts, repair services, organization of activities of logistics companies in the form of small business, and the introduction of the model of clusters based on cooperation (large enterprise + small subcontractors) are left alone.

Shahrikhan is rich in agricultural resources, specializing in the cultivation of vegetables, melons, fruits and vegetables, and livestock. Agroclusters, processing and packaging are priorities for small businesses.

Therefore, it is necessary to organize agroclusters, cold storage facilities, greenhouses and agrologistics services in this region, increase the number of small enterprises focused on packaging, branding and export, and increase attention to the digitization of marketing and trade through digital agroplatforms.