Uzbekistan is Central Asia's most populous nation, yet its true demographics remain elusive.

Countries & Cities · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: With 39 million people, Uzbekistan holds nearly half of Central Asia's population. Yet, for decades, the country relied on outdated Soviet-era records. A complex history of migration, shifting ethnic identities, and state-led social engineering has created a demographic landscape that is far more nuanced than official statistics often suggest.

For decades, Uzbekistan’s demographic data was largely estimated, as the nation did not conduct a census between the 1989 Soviet count and February 2026. This gap obscured significant shifts in the population, which is notably young, with 30.1% of residents under the age of 14. While official figures state that Uzbeks make up 84.4% of the population, these numbers are complicated by historical processes like 'Uzbekisation,' which encouraged many Tajiks to identify as Uzbek. Experts suggest the actual Tajik population could be as high as 10% to 15%.

The country’s demographic trajectory has been heavily influenced by state policy. During the Soviet era, high fertility was encouraged through child benefits and an agricultural economic model. However, following the USSR's collapse, the government pivoted toward fertility control, heavily promoting IUDs. This state influence extended to reproductive rights, with allegations of forced sterilization under the late President Islam Karimov. These restrictive measures were only loosened after his 2016 death, triggering a baby boom by 2018.

Migration has also fundamentally reshaped the nation. Following independence, many ethnic minorities, including Russians and Jews, emigrated due to economic instability and the adoption of Uzbek as the sole official state language in 1995. Today, labor migration is a critical economic pillar; at least 10% of the labor force works abroad, primarily in Russia. In 2006, remittances from Uzbek workers in Russia reached approximately US$1.3 billion, accounting for 8% of the national GDP. Despite these flows, many migrants remain unregistered, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and limited social protections.

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