Central Asia · Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan Demographics: Population Growth, Fertility and a Changing Age Structure
Uzbekistan entered 2026 with a preliminary census count above 39 million, a large child population and continued natural increase. Official fertility rose through 2023 before easing in 2024 and 2025, while the census measured a higher urban share than the administrative population series.
Sources: National Statistics Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan, 2026 preliminary census results, January–June 2026 demographic release and SIAT annual demographic series.
Core Demographic Indicators
Two Official Population Measures Define 2026
The preliminary census counted 39,047,321 people at the census reference point on 15 January 2026. The administrative estimate for 1 January was 38,236,704, a difference of 810,617 people. The administrative series then reached 38,519,500 on 1 July, but it continued to exclude the preliminary census results.
| Population measure | Value | Reference date | Status | Population basis | Urban share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Administrative permanent population | 38,236,704 | 1 January 2026 | Administrative estimate | Permanent population records | Data not reported in this release |
| Preliminary census population | 39,047,321 | 15 January 2026 | Preliminary census result | Population counted under the 2026 census methodology | 54.5% |
| Administrative permanent population | 38,519,500 | 1 July 2026 | Preliminary administrative series | Integrated Justice and Interior Ministry records; census results excluded | 50.9% |
Population measure warning: The census count and the administrative series are not interchangeable. Subtracting one from the other does not measure population growth because the reference dates and statistical bases differ.
Administrative Population Nearly Doubled Since 1991
The permanent population series rose from 20.6 million at the start of 1991 to 38.2 million at the start of 2026. This was an increase of approximately 17.6 million people, or 85.6%.
Permanent Population of Uzbekistan, 1991–2026
Selected 1 January observations from the administrative permanent population series
Source: National Statistics Committee permanent population series. The preliminary 2026 census count is not appended to this line.
| Year | Permanent population | Reference point | Measure type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 20,607,700 | 1 January | Administrative permanent population |
| 1995 | 22,461,600 | 1 January | Administrative permanent population |
| 2000 | 24,487,700 | 1 January | Administrative permanent population |
| 2005 | 26,021,300 | 1 January | Administrative permanent population |
| 2010 | 28,001,400 | 1 January | Administrative permanent population |
| 2015 | 31,022,500 | 1 January | Administrative permanent population |
| 2020 | 33,905,200 | 1 January | Administrative permanent population |
| 2021 | 34,558,900 | 1 January | Administrative permanent population |
| 2022 | 35,271,300 | 1 January | Administrative permanent population |
| 2023 | 36,024,900 | 1 January | Administrative permanent population |
| 2024 | 36,799,800 | 1 January | Administrative permanent population |
| 2025 | 37,543,200 | 1 January | Administrative permanent population |
| 2026 | 38,236,700 | 1 January | Administrative permanent population |
How the Growth Pace Changed
- The administrative series added 5.4 million people between 1991 and 2005.
- It added a further 7.9 million between 2005 and 2020.
- From 2020 to the start of 2026, the total increased by another 4.3 million.
Births, Not External Migration, Drive Current Growth
Uzbekistan recorded 373,400 births and 86,900 deaths in January–June 2026. Natural increase was 286,500, while external migration produced a net loss of 3,773 people. Natural increase was therefore far larger than the external migration balance.
| Indicator | Value | Period | Measure type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live births | 373,400 | January–June 2026 | Registered events |
| Deaths | 86,900 | January–June 2026 | Registered events |
| Natural increase | 286,500 | January–June 2026 | Derived: births minus deaths |
| Immigrants from abroad | 1,649 | January–June 2026 | Registered international migration |
| Emigrants abroad | 5,422 | January–June 2026 | Registered international migration |
| External net migration | −3,773 | January–June 2026 | Derived: immigration minus emigration |
Annual Births, Deaths and Fertility
Annual births increased from 715,519 in 2017 to 961,962 in 2023, then declined to 926,422 in 2024 and 879,599 in 2025. Deaths remained far below births throughout the series, leaving a large positive natural increase every year.
| Year | Births | Deaths | Natural increase | Total fertility rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 634,810 | 138,411 | 496,399 | 2.34 |
| 2011 | 622,835 | 143,253 | 479,582 | 2.24 |
| 2012 | 625,106 | 145,988 | 479,118 | 2.19 |
| 2013 | 679,519 | 145,672 | 533,847 | 2.35 |
| 2014 | 718,036 | 149,761 | 568,275 | 2.46 |
| 2015 | 734,141 | 152,035 | 582,106 | 2.49 |
| 2016 | 726,170 | 154,791 | 571,379 | 2.46 |
| 2017 | 715,519 | 160,723 | 554,796 | 2.42 |
| 2018 | 768,520 | 154,913 | 613,607 | 2.60 |
| 2019 | 814,960 | 154,570 | 660,390 | 2.79 |
| 2020 | 841,817 | 175,625 | 666,192 | 2.90 |
| 2021 | 905,211 | 174,541 | 730,670 | 3.17 |
| 2022 | 932,217 | 172,068 | 760,149 | 3.31 |
| 2023 | 961,962 | 172,757 | 789,205 | 3.445 |
| 2024 | 926,422 | 174,413 | 752,009 | 3.35 |
| 2025 | 879,599 | 177,104 | 702,495 | 3.20 |
The Birth Peak Has Receded, but Natural Increase Remains Large
Registered Births and Deaths, 2010–2025
Annual registered events; 2026 half-year data are excluded from this full-year comparison
Source: National Statistics Committee SIAT annual births and deaths series.
How Natural Change Has Shifted
- Natural increase reached 789,205 in 2023, the highest value in the 2010–2025 table.
- It eased to 752,009 in 2024 and 702,495 in 2025 as births fell and deaths rose.
- January–June 2026 births were 32,100 below the same period of 2025.
Fertility Rose Through 2023 and Then Eased
The total fertility rate fell to 2.19 children per woman in 2012, stood at 2.42 in 2017 and then rose to 3.445 in 2023. The official series declined to 3.35 in 2024 and 3.20 in 2025.
Total Fertility Rate, 2010–2025
Average number of children per woman under the period fertility measure
Source: National Statistics Committee SIAT, Total Fertility Rate – Total.
Fertility interpretation: Total fertility rate, crude birth rate and the number of births are different measures. A lower birth count can reflect changes in both fertility and the number of women in reproductive ages.
The Youngest Cohorts Are the Largest
The census counted 4,607,149 children aged 0–4, making this the largest five-year age group. People aged 0–14 totaled 11,873,270, or 30.4% of the census population. The population aged 65 and over totaled 2,485,787, or 6.4%.
Uzbekistan Population Pyramid, 2026
Preliminary census population by five-year age group and sex
Source: 2026 preliminary population census, reference date 15 January 2026.
| Age group | Male | Female | Total | Male share | Female share | Sex ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–4 | 2,382,052 | 2,225,097 | 4,607,149 | 51.7% | 48.3% | 107.1 |
| 5–9 | 2,002,741 | 1,856,865 | 3,859,606 | 51.9% | 48.1% | 107.9 |
| 10–14 | 1,765,100 | 1,641,415 | 3,406,515 | 51.8% | 48.2% | 107.5 |
| 15–19 | 1,626,239 | 1,529,563 | 3,155,802 | 51.5% | 48.5% | 106.3 |
| 20–24 | 1,368,218 | 1,294,032 | 2,662,250 | 51.4% | 48.6% | 105.7 |
| 25–29 | 1,355,143 | 1,294,120 | 2,649,263 | 51.2% | 48.8% | 104.7 |
| 30–34 | 1,607,295 | 1,560,679 | 3,167,974 | 50.7% | 49.3% | 103.0 |
| 35–39 | 1,563,761 | 1,526,465 | 3,090,226 | 50.6% | 49.4% | 102.4 |
| 40–44 | 1,344,003 | 1,343,258 | 2,687,261 | 50.0% | 50.0% | 100.1 |
| 45–49 | 1,119,180 | 1,123,496 | 2,242,676 | 49.9% | 50.1% | 99.6 |
| 50–54 | 948,230 | 965,608 | 1,913,838 | 49.5% | 50.5% | 98.2 |
| 55–59 | 811,989 | 835,875 | 1,647,864 | 49.3% | 50.7% | 97.1 |
| 60–64 | 705,907 | 765,203 | 1,471,110 | 48.0% | 52.0% | 92.3 |
| 65–69 | 551,914 | 622,925 | 1,174,839 | 47.0% | 53.0% | 88.6 |
| 70–74 | 312,540 | 356,506 | 669,046 | 46.7% | 53.3% | 87.7 |
| 75–79 | 157,402 | 185,152 | 342,554 | 45.9% | 54.1% | 85.0 |
| 80–84 | 62,284 | 68,091 | 130,375 | 47.8% | 52.2% | 91.5 |
| 85 years and older | 82,168 | 86,805 | 168,973 | 48.6% | 51.4% | 94.7 |
The sex ratio is shown as males per 100 females and is derived from the published male and female counts.
Where the Sex Balance Shifts
- Males account for 51.7% to 51.9% of each five-year group between ages 0 and 14.
- The 40–44 group is nearly balanced, with 1,344,003 males and 1,343,258 females.
- A female majority begins at ages 45–49 and reaches 54.1% in the 75–79 group.
National Working-Age Classification
The census also published three main age groups under the national working-age definition. These categories are not identical to the international 0–14, 15–64 and 65+ grouping.
| Main age group | Population | Share of census population | Measure type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below working age | 12,515,140 | 32.1% | National working-age classification |
| Working age | 21,739,409 | 55.7% | National working-age classification |
| Above working age | 4,792,772 | 12.3% | National working-age classification |
Urbanization Depends on the Population Measure
The preliminary census classified 21,276,729 people as urban and 17,770,592 as rural, producing an urban share of 54.5%. The 1 July administrative series reported 19,608,900 urban residents and 18,910,600 rural residents, an urban share of 50.9%.
Urban and Rural Population Shares in 2026
Comparison of the preliminary census and the administrative permanent population series
Source: National Statistics Committee. The two bars use different population bases and reference dates.
Urbanization measure warning: The 3.6 percentage-point gap should not be interpreted as urbanization occurring between January and July. It reflects two statistical systems that have not yet been reconciled through final census processing.
Population Size and Urban Concentration Vary Sharply by Region
Samarkand and Fergana were the two largest regions in the preliminary census. Excluding fully urban Tashkent city, the highest census urban shares were recorded in Namangan, Navoi and Tashkent Region, while Khorezm, Samarkand and Surkhandarya remained below 41% urban.
| Region | Census population | Census urban share | Administrative population | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republic of Karakalpakstan | 2,149,932 | 54.9% | 2,061,500 | 1.0% |
| Andijan Region | 3,531,777 | 52.2% | 3,545,400 | 1.6% |
| Bukhara Region | 2,104,874 | 42.5% | 2,117,200 | 1.3% |
| Jizzakh Region | 1,524,055 | 51.4% | 1,579,000 | 1.8% |
| Kashkadarya Region | 3,692,323 | 46.9% | 3,745,600 | 2.0% |
| Navoi Region | 1,184,591 | 59.3% | 1,118,500 | 1.4% |
| Namangan Region | 3,149,161 | 66.2% | 3,213,600 | 1.7% |
| Samarkand Region | 4,404,575 | 39.9% | 4,413,700 | 1.8% |
| Surkhandarya Region | 2,984,084 | 40.6% | 3,037,000 | 2.1% |
| Syrdarya Region | 954,361 | 47.7% | 952,600 | 1.5% |
| Tashkent Region | 3,763,093 | 58.7% | 3,189,500 | 1.8% |
| Fergana Region | 4,238,911 | 56.2% | 4,254,200 | 1.8% |
| Khorezm Region | 2,140,746 | 38.1% | 2,079,500 | 1.7% |
| Tashkent city | 3,224,838 | 100.0% | 3,212,200 | 2.1% |
Census values refer to 15 January 2026. Administrative values and annual growth rates refer to 1 July 2026 and exclude the preliminary census results.
Where Population Growth and Urban Concentration Differ
- Samarkand had the largest census population at 4,404,575, but only 39.9% was classified as urban.
- Namangan had the highest urban share outside Tashkent city at 66.2%.
- Surkhandarya and Tashkent city recorded the fastest administrative annual growth, both at 2.1%.
- Karakalpakstan recorded the slowest administrative growth at 1.0%.
Data Sources and Methodology
The page keeps census counts, administrative permanent population estimates and registered vital events as separate measures. Natural increase, external net migration, broad age shares, working-age shares and age-specific sex ratios are derived from published counts. Values are rounded only where a percentage or compact display is shown.
| Source | Release or data year | Used for | Measure type |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Statistics Committee, Preliminary Results of the 2026 Population and Agriculture Census | 2026 release; reference date 15 January 2026 | Census population, sex, five-year age groups, working-age groups, regional population and urban-rural distribution | Preliminary census count |
| National Statistics Committee, Demographic Situation for January–June 2026 | Published 24 July 2026 | 1 July population, annual growth, urban-rural population, births, deaths and external migration | Preliminary administrative population and registered events |
| National Statistics Committee SIAT, Total Fertility Rate – Total | 2010–2025 series; modified 30 June 2026 | Annual total fertility rate | Period fertility rate |
| National Statistics Committee SIAT, Number of Births and Number of Deaths | 2010–2025 annual series | Annual births, deaths and derived natural increase | Registered vital events |
| National Statistics Committee, Permanent Population During the Years of Independence | Published 5 February 2026 | Selected 1 January population observations from 1991 to 2026 | Administrative permanent population |
Methodological Safety Note: The 2026 census results are preliminary and may be revised during final processing, which is scheduled for completion by 1 July 2027. The administrative population series continues independently until final census-based figures are officially incorporated. Full-year data through 2025 must not be compared directly with January–June 2026 counts without matching the reference period. Population projections are not used on this page.