The topic of this research is to study the geographical distribution of the shadow economy around the world, and in particular to study its state in the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The shadow economy is widespread in all countries of the world. The research topic is very relevant at the moment, during the period of digitalization of the economies of the countries of the world. The relevance of the study of the development of the shadow economy in the world is associated with the unstable, transitional state of the countries of the world. This instability is associated with the transition from industrial to post-industrial society. In the study of the theoretical part, the methods of analysis, grouping, sampling were used, in the study of the empirical part, the observation method, the method of expert assessment, comparative analysis were applied. Using modern research methods, we were able to reveal the most common causes of the shadow economy. The object of the research is the state of the economy of the Republic of Uzbekistan; the subject of the research is the factors influencing the emergence of the shadow economy, both in developed countries and in developing countries. Having studied the reasons for the emergence of the shadow economy in the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the authors put forward proposals for their reduction, in order to improve the state of the country’s comprehensive development.
Social capital as a determinant of the shadow economy in the Republic of Serbia