BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 30. Uzbekistan's
population has reached an estimated 39.05 million, according to
preliminary results from the country's first nationwide population
and agricultural census since gaining independence.


This was reflected in the statement published by the National
Committee on Statistics of Uzbekistan following the official
announcement at a conference on June 30.


The census, conducted between Jan. 15 and Feb. 28, 2026, was
organized by the National Statistics Committee in cooperation with
the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). It marked the first
census carried out in independent Uzbekistan and was conducted
under a presidential decree signed in September 2025.


According to preliminary findings, Uzbekistan's population
stands at 39,047,321, about 810,600 higher than previous official
statistical estimates of 38.24 million. Officials said the
population has roughly doubled since the country's last census in
1989.


"The census provides a reliable statistical foundation for
shaping future public policy and strategic development decisions,"
the National Statistics Committee said.


The preliminary results show that 19.77 million residents are
male and 19.28 million are female. The census also counted 56,900
foreign nationals who have lived in Uzbekistan for more than one
year, with most coming from India, Russia and Kazakhstan.


The Committee said 82.3% of the population completed the census
online, while the remaining households were visited in person by
more than 55,000 local enumerators using tablet computers. A
post-enumeration survey found that 97.3% of the country's
population was successfully counted, leaving 2.7% unaccounted for—a
figure officials said is well within international standards.







"By international practice, an undercount of this size is
considered acceptable, as many countries record non-response rates
of 10% or more," the committee said.


The digital census also generated geolocation data for more than
8.2 million addresses, providing a detailed geographic database of
residential buildings, agricultural facilities and other
properties. During the census period, more than 2.1 million people
registered for the government's OneID digital identification
system.


The Committee estimated the cost of the census at 12 U.S. cents
per person, describing it as a cost-efficient operation supported
by extensive digital technologies and a nationwide public awareness
campaign.


The census found that ethnic Uzbeks account for 89.4% of the
population, followed by Tajiks (3.3%), Karakalpaks (2.2%), Kazakhs
(1.8%), Russians (1.6%), Kyrgyz (0.6%), Turkmen (0.5%) and other
ethnic groups (0.6%). About 91.3% of respondents identified Uzbek
as their native language.


Preliminary agricultural census results also revealed notable
changes. Compared with existing statistical estimates, the area
devoted to annual crops increased by 23%, orchards and vineyards by
18.8%, fish farms by 15%, and greenhouses by 2.2%. Livestock
figures showed cattle numbers were 14.9% lower than previous
estimates, while poultry numbers were 12.7% higher.


It was said that the census data will support evidence-based
planning in areas including education, healthcare, infrastructure,
employment, social protection and agriculture. Preliminary results
will continue to be published on the National Statistics
Committee's official website and social media platforms.