Introduction
Background
Uzbekistan is the geographic and population center of Central Asia. The country has a diverse economy and a relatively young population. Independent since the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, the country has diversified agricultural production while developing its mineral and petroleum export capacity and increasing its manufacturing base.
Geography
Area
total: 447,400 sq km
land: 425,400 sq km
water: 22,000 sq km
Climate
mostly mid-latitude desert, long, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid grassland in east
Natural resources
natural gas, petroleum, coal, gold, uranium, silver, copper, lead and zinc, tungsten, molybdenum
People and Society
Population
total: 36,520,593
male: 18,324,813
female: 18,195,780 (2024 est.)
Ethnic groups
Uzbek 83.8%, Tajik 4.8%, Kazakh 2.5%, Russian 2.3%, Karakalpak 2.2%, Tatar 1.5%, other 2.9% (2017 est.)
Languages
Uzbek (official) 74.3%, Russian 14.2%, Tajik 4.4%, other 7.1%
Religions
Muslim 88% (mostly Sunni), Eastern Orthodox 9%, other 3%
Population growth rate
1.43% (2024 est.)
Government
Government type
presidential republic; highly authoritarian
Capital
name: Tashkent (Toshkent)
Executive branch
chief of state: President Shavkat MIRZIYOYEV (since 14 December 2016)
head of government: Prime Minister Abdulla ARIPOV (since 14 December 2016)
Legislative branch
description: bicameral Supreme Assembly or Oliy Majlis consists of:
Senate or Senat (100 seats); 84 members indirectly elected by regional governing councils and 16 appointed by the president; members serve 5-year terms); note - amendments to the constitution approved in April 2023 call for the reduction of Senate seats to 65 from 100
Legislative Chamber or Qonunchilik Palatasi (150 seats statutory, 140 seats current; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote with a second round if needed; members serve 5-year terms)
Economy
Economic overview
lower middle-income Central Asian economy; CIS Free Trade Area member but no intention of EAEU membership; key natural gas, cotton, and gold exporter; landlocked and environmentally fragile; positive growth through COVID-19, but poverty increasing
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$287.795 billion (2022 est.)
$272.355 billion (2021 est.)
$253.582 billion (2020 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$8,100 (2022 est.)
$7,800 (2021 est.)
$7,400 (2020 est.)
Agricultural products
milk, wheat, carrots/turnips, cotton, potatoes, tomatoes, grapes, vegetables, watermelons, apples (2022)
Industries
textiles, food processing, machine building, metallurgy, mining, hydrocarbon extraction, chemicals
Exports
$24.094 billion (2022 est.)
$16.443 billion (2021 est.)
$14.536 billion (2020 est.)
Exports - partners
Switzerland 25%, Russia 15%, China 12%, Turkey 9%, Kazakhstan 7% (2022)
Exports - commodities
gold, cotton yarn, garments, natural gas, refined copper (2022)
Imports
$35.61 billion (2022 est.)
$27.936 billion (2021 est.)
$22.638 billion (2020 est.)
Imports - partners
China 24%, Russia 19%, Kazakhstan 12%, South Korea 8%, Turkey 6% (2022)
Imports - commodities
vehicle parts/accessories, packaged medicine, cars, wheat, refined petroleum (2022)
Exchange rates
Uzbekistani soum (UZS) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
11,050.145 (2022 est.)
10,609.464 (2021 est.)
10,054.261 (2020 est.)
8,836.788 (2019 est.)
8,069.606 (2018 est.)
Page last updated: Wednesday, May 15, 2024
