Uzbekistan’s permanent population reached 39.047mn people, according to preliminary results of the country’s population census presented to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The census clarified the places of residence and social status of 810,600 people who had not been reflected in existing population records.
Mirziyoyev reviewed the preliminary results of the population and agricultural census alongside proposals to reform Uzbekistan’s national statistical system and improve the collection and management of economic data.
Uzbekistan’s population has nearly doubled since 1989, while the country’s economy has doubled over the past eight years, increasing demand for updated information on population distribution, land resources, agriculture and other economic indicators. A comparison between the census results and existing population data identified differences across several regions. The population of Jizzakh region was 2.7% lower than previously recorded, while Namangan region showed a 1.3% decrease. The figures for Surkhandarya and Kashkadarya regions were lower by 0.9% and 0.7%, respectively.
The population figure for Bukhara region remained largely unchanged, while other regions recorded higher numbers than existing statistics. Among the largest differences, the population of Tashkent district was found to be 1.6 times higher than previously reported. In Andijan city, the census showed a population 15.8% below the previous figure. Uzbekistan also reported a high level of digital participation in the census, with 82.3% of respondents covered through online census procedures.
The census process was completed within 15 days. According to information presented to the president, expenditure did not exceed UZS 1,500 per person. The agricultural census clarified the boundaries and classifications of 985,500 hectares of land that had not previously been included in official records. Of the total, 789,500 hectares were classified as arable land, while 14,100 hectares were identified as greenhouses.
Another 75,300 hectares were classified as orchards, 21,400 hectares as vineyards and 85,000 hectares as fish ponds. Based on the population and agricultural census results, Uzbekistan plans to establish continuously updated statistical registers covering the population and agriculture. The authorities will also update 100 indicators used in socio-economic development programs and 50 indicators related to agriculture and cultivated areas.
National accounts indicators covering the period from 2017 to 2025 are also expected to be revalued based on the updated information. Uzbekistan’s non-observed economy is currently estimated at 23% of economic activity, equivalent to approximately UZS 246 trillion (over $20.8bn). In agriculture, economic activity not captured by official statistics accounts for an estimated 60% of total turnover.
Of Uzbekistan’s 15.2mn employed people, the income of around 6.5mn, or 42%, is not fully reflected in official records. Authorities also identified registered small and medium-sized enterprises that are either inactive or have stopped operating while remaining in official registers. According to the presentation, approximately one in every four to five soums of economic turnover is currently outside official statistical accounting.
A nationwide business census will be conducted from October 15 to November 30. The census will cover economic entities operating across Uzbekistan and is intended to clarify their status, structure and distribution across sectors of the economy. The process will also be used to update statistical registers of enterprises and organizations and establish a basis for future sample surveys. The proposal to conduct the census was approved during the presentation.
Officials also presented plans for developing Uzbekistan’s national statistical system through 2030. The targets include reducing the reporting burden on businesses by 20%, increasing the number of administrative and alternative data sources by 1.7 times, reducing data processing times by 20% and cutting associated costs by 25%. A Data Management Commission involving ministries and government agencies has also been proposed to establish a unified approach to managing government data.
The commission is expected to complete an inventory of data management systems used by government agencies and organizations by December 1. An action plan for improving these systems is expected to be approved by May 1, 2027. Uzbekistan plans to launch a National Data Platform by July 1, 2027.
The platform is intended to integrate government data into a unified system and support data quality, security, analytics and digital services. Plans also include establishing a project office responsible for open data and introducing an Open Data Rating for government agencies. Uzbekistan also plans to expand the use of artificial intelligence and other digital technologies in its statistical system.
By July 1, 2027, statistical information is expected to be published in formats suitable for processing by AI systems. AI agents are planned to be introduced to compare statistical indicators and conduct more detailed analysis of available data. By the end of 2027, information covering population, demographics, agriculture, infrastructure and regional development is expected to be presented through digital geospatial maps.
A School of Data-Driven Management is also planned to expand education and research related to statistics and data analysis. The institution is expected to organize training for representatives of government agencies, businesses, statistical organizations, media, researchers and students. Programs will cover data management, business analytics, artificial intelligence, data journalism and data visualization.
Uzbekistan plans to conduct the seventh round of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey in 2027–2028. The country also plans to assess the national statistical system’s compliance with international standards and codes with the participation of the International Monetary Fund. Authorities are also preparing the national Development of Statistics – 2030 strategy. Its proposed priorities include coordination of the statistical system, improving data quality, adopting international standards and methodologies, digital transformation, expanding the use of administrative and alternative data sources and developing open statistics based on user needs. Mirziyoyev instructed responsible officials to analyze the population and agricultural census results and incorporate the findings into government programs.
Officials were also tasked with conducting the planned business census, establishing a unified data management system and continuing the development of the national statistical system in line with international standards.
