Country Profile: Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is located in Central Asia, positioned as the geographic and population center of the region. It has a diverse economy primarily driven by agriculture, particularly cotton, alongside mineral and petroleum exports. With a population exceeding 36 million, Uzbekistan features a relatively young demographic and has undergone significant political reforms since gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who has been in office since 2016, the country is striving for modernization and improved international relations.

Geography

Uzbekistan is a doubly landlocked country bordered by five nations: Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. The majority of the country consists of flat-to-rolling sandy deserts, interspersed with fertile river valleys and the Fergana Valley, where much of the population is concentrated. The climate is predominantly mid-latitude desert, characterized by long, hot summers and mild winters.

447,400 sq km: Total area of Uzbekistan.
4,643 m: Highest point, Xazrat Sulton Tog'.
12 m: Lowest point, Sariqamish Kuli.
58.1%: Percentage of land used for agriculture (2022 est.).
37,305 sq km: Area of irrigated land (2022).
2,330 km: Length of border with Kazakhstan.

People and Society

Uzbekistan’s population is estimated at over 36 million, with a significant proportion under the age of 15. The country is home to a variety of ethnic groups, with Uzbeks making up the majority. The official language is Uzbek, and Islam is the predominant religion, with around 88% of the population practicing it.

36,520,593: Estimated population (2024).
29.6%: Proportion of the population aged 0-14 years.
100%: Literacy rate as of 2022.
50.5%: Urban population as of 2023.
76.2 years: Life expectancy at birth (2024).
20.5 births/1,000 population: Birth rate (2024).

Economy

Uzbekistan's economy is classified as lower-middle income and is heavily reliant on natural gas, cotton, and gold exports. Recent reforms have sought to decrease the dominance of the state-owned sector and attract foreign investment. The economy has demonstrated steady growth, with a significant focus on sustainable agricultural practices.

$379.989 billion: Real GDP (2024 est.).
6.5%: Projected real GDP growth rate for 2024.
4.5%: Unemployment rate (2024).
68%: Household consumption as a share of GDP (2024).
11%: Percentage of the population living below the national poverty line (2023).
14.4%: Share of GDP from remittances (2024).

Government

Uzbekistan is governed as a presidential republic characterized by strong authoritarian control. The current president, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, has been in office since 2016, and significant reforms have been undertaken to modernize the government institutions since independence. The political landscape includes multiple parties, although the ruling party holds substantial power.

President: Shavkat Mirziyoyev (since December 2016).
Capital: Tashkent, coordinates 41°19'N 69°15'E.
Parliament: Bicameral Supreme Assembly (Oliy Majlis).
Legal system: Civil law system, reformed in 2020 and ongoing.
Independence: Gained from the Soviet Union on September 1, 1991.
Elections: Next presidential election expected in 2030.

Military and Security

Uzbekistan maintains a military primarily focused on regional stability and border security. The armed forces consist of an army, air and air defense forces, and a national guard. Military expenditures have historically been around 2.5-2.9% of GDP in recent years.

50,000: Estimated active military personnel (2025).
18-27 years: Age for compulsory military service for men.
2.8%: Military expenditures as a percentage of GDP (2019).
National Guard: Responsible for public order and security.
Participation: In regional defense collaborations with countries like Russia and India.

Energy

Uzbekistan has a significant energy sector, heavily reliant on fossil fuels, particularly natural gas and coal. The country has made strides in developing its electricity generation capacity, which is vital for both domestic consumption and export.

100%: Electrification of the total population (2022).
43.249 billion cubic meters: Natural gas production (2023).
17.901 million kW: Installed electricity generating capacity (2023).
90.8%: Percentage of electricity generated from fossil fuels (2023).
64,000 bbl/day: Petroleum production (2023).
110.992 million metric tonnes: Total carbon dioxide emissions (2023).

Environment

Uzbekistan faces numerous environmental challenges, particularly related to the shrinking Aral Sea, desertification, and water pollution from agricultural practices. The country is a party to multiple international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these issues.

58.1%: Land used for agriculture (2022).
4 million tons: Municipal solid waste generated annually (2016 est.).
48.87 billion cubic meters: Total renewable water resources (2020).
Desertification: A significant environmental issue impacting land use and agriculture.
Biodiversity: A party to environmental agreements including the Climate Change Paris Agreement.

Transportation

Uzbekistan has a well-developed transportation network, including a significant number of airports and a growing railway system that serves both freight and passenger needs.

74: Number of airports projected by 2025.
4,642 km: Total length of railways (2018).
3: Heliports (2025).
Civil aircraft registration: Country code prefix is UK.

Communications

Uzbekistan has made significant advancements in telecommunications, with a high percentage of the population having access to the internet and mobile communications.

89%: Percentage of the population with internet access (2023).
37.5 million: Mobile cellular subscriptions (2023).
10.8 million: Fixed broadband subscriptions (2023).
6.147 million: Fixed line telephone subscriptions (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	36,520,593	Estimated (2024)
Area	447,400 sq km	Total area
GDP	$379.989 billion	Real GDP (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	4.5%	Estimated (2024)
Birth Rate	20.5 births/1,000 population	Estimated (2024)
Life Expectancy	76.2 years	Estimated (2024)
Energy Consumption per Capita	55.305 million Btu/person	Estimated (2023)
Literacy Rate	100%	Estimated (2022)
Military Expenditures	2.8% of GDP	(2019)
Urban Population	50.5%	Percentage of total (2023)