Uzbekistan census finds 810,600 residents missing from official records

September 3, 2026 at 11:35 AM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Uzbekistan's preliminary census results show a permanent population of 39.047 million, 810,600 more than current official statistics. The agricultural census also identified 985,500 hectares of previously unrecorded land. Authorities plan to revise 150 statistical indicators and recalculate national accounts for 2017–2025.

Key Facts

The census counted 39.047 million permanent residents, 810,600 more than previous official statistics.
Agricultural census identified 985,500 hectares of previously unrecorded land, including 789,500 hectares of cropland.
Authorities plan to revise 150 statistical indicators and recalculate national accounts for 2017–2025.
The shadow economy is estimated at 23% of GDP, or 246 trillion soums, with agriculture's share at 60% of turnover.
A business census will be conducted from October 15 to November 30 to improve economic data.

Population Discrepancies

The preliminary census results were presented to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on September 2, 2026. Tashkent Region's population was 1.6 times higher than previous estimates, at about 340,000 instead of 214,000. Jizzakh Region's population was 2.7% lower than current records, Namangan 1.3% lower, Surkhandarya 0.9% lower, and Kashkadarya 0.7% lower. Bukhara Region showed almost no change, while other regions had higher counts.

Agricultural Land Revisions

The agricultural census clarified boundaries and categories for 985,500 hectares of previously unrecorded land. Of this, 789,500 hectares are cropland, 75,300 hectares orchards, 21,400 hectares vineyards, 14,100 hectares greenhouses, and 85,000 hectares fish ponds. The actual cultivated agricultural area in Uzbekistan is about 4.8 million hectares.

Statistical Overhaul Plans

Authorities will update 150 statistical indicators and recalculate national accounts for 2017–2025. The shadow economy is estimated at 23% of the economy, or 246 trillion soums, with agriculture's share reaching 60% of turnover. Incomes of 6.5 million of 15.2 million employed people are not fully reflected in official data. A business census will run from October 15 to November 30 to clarify economic activity. By July 2027, statistics should be published in machine-readable formats and later displayed on digital geospatial maps.