Uzbekistan Population

Uzbekistan is the most populous of the former Soviet republics of Central Asia. The country has had authoritarian and monotonous rule since independence from the Soviet Union, and is struggling with widespread corruption and poverty.

Key figures and facts

Capital: Tashkent
Ethnic groups: Uncertain 83.8%, Tajik 4.8%, Kazakhs 2.5%, Russians 2.3%, Karakalak 2.2%, Tatars 1.5%, others 4.4% (2017)
Language: Uzbek (official) 74.3%, Russian 14.2%, Tajik 4.4%, other 7.1%
Religion: Muslims (most Sunni) 88%, Orthodox Christians 9%, others 3%
Population: 32 364 996 (2018)
Control Form: Republic
Area: 447 400 km2
Currency: Uzbek sum
GNP per capita: 6 513 PPP $
National Day: September 1st

In 2013, the population was estimated at 30 241 000 (World Bank). Life expectancy is 71.5 years for women and 64.8 for men. In 2008, the ethnic composition was calculated as: 80% Unbeknownst, 5.5% Russian and 5% Tajik. Other minorities of caracal packs, Kyrgyz, Ukrainians, Turkmen and others.

Large areas of the country are empty. Relatively many live in rural areas, less than 40% live in cities. The densest settlement is found in the eastern part of the country, especially in the Fergana Valley and surrounding valleys, as well as along Seravshan in the south central part. Major cities are the capital Tashkent, Namangan, Samarkand and Andijan.

Population of Uzbekistan by Year (Historical)

Year	Population	Annual Growth Rate	Population Density	Global Rank
2020	33,469,092	1.480%	78.6770	42
2019	32,981,605	1.560%	77.5311	42
2018	32,476,133	1.620%	76.3428	42
2017	31,959,674	1.650%	75.1288	42
2016	31,441,640	1.660%	73.9110	42
2015	30,929,446	1.640%	72.7070	42
2010	28,515,798	1.530%	67.0332	42
2005	26,427,678	1.300%	62.1246	42
2000	24,769,844	1.680%	58.2274	39
1995	22,790,915	2.240%	53.5755	40
1990	20,398,237	2.460%	47.9510	40
1985	18,061,173	2.580%	42.4572	41
1980	15,898,646	2.790%	37.3737	41
1975	13,857,367	2.780%	32.5752	41
1970	12,080,206	3.610%	28.3975	44
1965	10,116,759	3.480%	23.7820	46
1960	8,526,189	3.220%	20.0430	50
1955	7,277,222	3.040%	17.1070	54
1950	6,263,945	0.000%	14.7251	57

Major Cities in Uzbekistan by Population

Rank	City	Population
1	Tashkent	1,977,917
2	Namangan	432,345
3	Samarkand	319,255
4	Andijon	318,308
5	Bukhara	247,533
6	Nukus	229,895
7	Qarshi	222,787
8	Qo`qon	187,366
9	Chirchiq	167,731
10	Fergana	164,211
11	Jizzax	152,531
12	Urganch	149,999
13	Tirmiz	140,274
14	Marg`ilon	133,379
15	Navoiy	129,614
16	Angren	126,846
17	Olmaliq	121,096
18	Bekobod	86,148
19	Denov	68,883
20	Chust	64,855
21	Kogon	62,509
22	Yangiyul	59,889
23	Koson	59,570
24	Kattaqo`rg`on	59,271
25	Oltinko`l	59,011
26	Shahrisabz	56,940
27	Asaka	56,625
28	Khiwa	55,456
29	Guliston	53,262
30	Beruniy	50,818
31	Khujayli	49,889
32	Chortoq	49,733
33	Novyy Turtkul’	48,797
34	Urgut	47,262
35	Kosonsoy	43,573
36	Kitob	41,827
37	Ghijduwon	40,959
38	Oqtosh	38,196
39	Parkent	35,862
40	Ohangaron	35,405
41	Uchqurghon Shahri	33,212
42	Quva	33,056
43	Yangiyer	32,525
44	Quvasoy	31,913
45	Manghit	30,743
46	Uychi	29,572
47	Nurota	29,292
48	Muborak	29,069
49	Toshbuloq	28,451
50	Yangiqo`rg`on	28,311
51	Piskent	27,754
52	To`rqao`rg`on	27,751
53	Qibray	27,639
54	Iskandar	27,525
55	Gurlan	27,395
56	Zomin	26,966
57	Showot	26,839
58	Sirdaryo	26,705
59	Bulung’ur	26,704
60	Toshloq	26,575
61	Shofirkon	26,416
62	Salor	26,383
63	Bektemir	26,269
64	Haqqulobod	26,146
65	Qo`rg`ontepa	25,750
66	Oltiariq	25,432
67	G`uzor	25,257
68	Boysun	24,939
69	Yangirabot	24,916
70	Yangiobod	24,789
71	Sho`rchi	24,789
72	Gagarin	24,745
73	Zafar	24,670
74	Payshanba	24,661
75	G’azalkent	24,589
76	Chinoz	24,442
77	Karakul’	22,376
78	Pop	22,011
79	Beshariq	21,873
80	Paxtakor	21,273
81	Tuytepa	20,571
82	Kirguli	20,348
83	Yaypan	20,221
84	Juma	19,809
85	Dashtobod	19,607
86	Bo`ka	19,531
87	Chiroqchi	19,245
88	Hazorasp	17,532
89	Beshkent	16,899
90	Qushkupir	16,837
91	Xo`jaobod	16,778
92	Chelak	16,616
93	Wobkent	16,586
94	Dustlik	16,413
95	Galaosiyo	15,509
96	Marhamat	14,535
97	Jomboy	14,318
98	Kegeyli Shahar	14,036
99	Yangi Marg`ilon	14,003
100	Urtaowul	13,936
101	Charxin	13,680
102	Qiziltepa	13,447
103	Hamza	13,359
104	Ishtixon	12,913
105	Muynoq	12,889
106	Romiton	12,816
107	Olot	11,873
108	Gazli	11,335
109	Nishon Tumani	10,447
110	Qorovulbozor	8,507
111	Daxbet	7,933
112	Shohimardon	4,989

Language

Uzbek is the official language and is spoken by about ³/₄ of the population. It is written with the Latin alphabet. Important minority languages are Russian, Tatar, Tajik and Kazakh.

Religion

The majority of the population (88%) are Sunni Muslims and belong to the Hanafi. The country has several active Sufi fraternities, Naqshbandiyya and Qadiriyya being the largest (see Sufism). After 1991, Soviet restrictions on religious activities were lifted (restrictions on mosque buildings, religious training, etc.). Mission promotions from Saudi Arabia and Iran, as well as a general interest in parts of the people for religious activism, led to a ban on organized political-religious activities in the 1990s, and the authorities crack down on Islamic activists. The country has several life-style minorities: Russian Orthodox Christians make up 1%, the Jewish minority 0.2%, non-religious or without religious affiliation counts 10.8%.

Key figures and facts