Introduction
Background
Uzbekistan is the geographic and population center of Central Asia, with a diverse economy and a relatively young population. Independent since the USSR dissolved 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
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
summary: bicameral Supreme Assembly consists of the Senate (100 seats) and the Legislative Chamber (150 seats)
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Furqat SIDIKOV (since 19 April 2023)
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Jonathan HENICK (since 14 October 2022)
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)
$319.174 billion (2023 est.)
$301.139 billion (2022 est.)
$284.984 billion (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$8,800 (2023 est.)
$8,400 (2022 est.)
$8,200 (2021 est.)
Exports
$24.536 billion (2023 est.)
$21.926 billion (2022 est.)
$16.442 billion (2021 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
$42.098 billion (2023 est.)
$35.61 billion (2022 est.)
$27.936 billion (2021 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)
Page last updated: Wednesday, August 07, 2024
