A conference was held to present the preliminary results of the population and agricultural census

On June 30, 2026, a conference on the preliminary results of the population and agricultural census was held in Tashkent.

At the event, the National Statistics Committee presented the preliminary results of the population and agricultural census, which was conducted for the first time in the history of independent Uzbekistan.

The census was conducted from January 15 to February 28, 2026, in accordance with Presidential Decree of September 19, 2025, “On conducting the population and agricultural census in the Republic of Uzbekistan”.

The conference was organized by the National Statistics Committee in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Office in Uzbekistan. It was attended by representatives of government agencies, international partner organizations, experts, and members of the mass media. The event presented information on the census’s preliminary findings, the methodological approaches used, experience with digital technologies, and the use of the collected data to develop government programs and inform strategic decisions.

The population and agricultural census is a large-scale statistical process aimed at forming a reliable information base on the country’s demographic, socio-economic, and agricultural situation. Through this exercise, important data were generated on the size of the population, its distribution by region, age and sex structure, living conditions, socio-economic status, and agricultural entities and resources.

According to the National Statistics Committee, the preliminary results show that 82.3 percent of the population was covered through the online census. The remaining part of the population was enumerated by representatives of the “Mahalla of Seven” through door-to-door visits using tablets.

According to the post-enumeration survey results, 97.3 percent of the total population was covered by the census, while 2.7 percent did not participate for various reasons. This is considered acceptable by international standards, as in some countries the share of non-covered population may reach 10 percent or more.

Special attention was also paid to cost efficiency in organizing the census. According to preliminary estimates, the cost of enumerating one person amounted to USD 0.12.

During the preparation and implementation of the census, geolocation data were generated for more than 8.2 million objects. These data enable accurate accounting of settlements, residential units, agricultural facilities, and other address-based units, and support precise territorial analysis in subsequent analyses.

More than 55 thousand members of the “Mahalla of Seven” took part in ensuring the effective organization of the process at the local level. During the census period, the use of the OneID system also increased significantly. In particular, 2.1 million new users registered in the OneID system during this period.

In addition, a call center was launched to provide prompt responses to citizens’ inquiries. During the census process, the call center handled more than 2 thousand inquiries per day.

A broad information and outreach campaign was conducted to explain the purpose and significance of the census to the public and encourage citizens’ active participation. In particular, general explanatory materials, animated videos, special video guides on completing census questionnaires, materials warning against fraud, videos on registration through the OneID system, as well as more than 10 videos prepared in cooperation with international organizations were produced and widely disseminated through the media and social networks. More than 30 briefings were held for citizens on the census participation process, online participation opportunities, questionnaire completion, and related matters.

Across the country, 723 TV stories and reports on the census process were broadcast, around 19,000 outreach materials were published on online media and social networks, and 184 articles and news items were published in newspapers. In addition, more than 100 promotional interviews were prepared with the participation of public figures, athletes, members of parliament, civil society activists, and representatives of various sectors. Around 500 large banners and more than 30 thousand posters were placed in crowded public areas, while promotional videos were displayed on more than 400 LED screens.

According to preliminary data, Uzbekistan’s population has doubled since the 1989 census. While current statistical estimates put the country’s population at 38,236,704, the preliminary census results show it reached 39,047,321. The difference amounted to 810,617 people. By sex, the number of men stood at 19,766,166, while the number of women was 19,281,155.

The census also included 56.9 thousand foreign citizens who have been residing in Uzbekistan for more than one year. The majority were citizens of India, Russia, and Kazakhstan.

According to the preliminary census results, the ethnic composition of the population was as follows: Uzbeks – 89.4 percent, Tajiks – 3.3 percent, Karakalpaks – 2.2 percent, Kazakhs – 1.8 percent, Russians – 1.6 percent, Kyrgyz – 0.6 percent, Turkmens – 0.5 percent, and other ethnic groups – 0.6 percent. A total of 35.7 million people, or 91.3 percent of the population, indicated Uzbek as their native language, which is 1.9 percentage points higher than the share of ethnic Uzbeks – 89.4 percent.

According to the results of the agricultural census, the areas under annual crops were 23.0 percent higher, orchards and vineyards 18.8 percent higher, greenhouses 2.2 percent higher, and fishponds 15.0 percent higher. Significant changes were also observed in livestock indicators. In particular, compared with current estimates, the number of cattle was 14.9 percent lower, sheep and goats 6.2 percent lower, and horses 11.2 percent lower, while the number of poultry increased by 12.7 percent.

The results of the population and agricultural census will enable analysis of demographic changes, assessment of population distribution across regions, identification of infrastructure needs, targeted decisions on living conditions and socio-economic indicators, and relevant analytical studies. As noted at the conference, the census results will support more accurate and targeted planning for government programs, regional development strategies, infrastructure projects, and areas such as education, healthcare, employment, social protection, and agriculture.

Preliminary census data will be regularly published on the National Statistics Committee’s official website and social media pages.

UzA