Small Business in Uzbekistan Accounts for Over Half of GDP in 2025

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — As of 1 October 2025, there were 1.21 million active small business entities operating in Uzbekistan, according to data from the National Committee of Statistics.

These included 479,000 small enterprises and microfirms, 281,900 individual entrepreneurs, 422,300 dehkan farms, 5,800 family businesses, 22,100 artisans, and 900 import goods sellers.

The density of small businesses reached 32.1 units per 1,000 people, with the highest figures recorded in Khorezm region (43.5), Tashkent city (43.4), Syrdarya region (37.7), and Bukhara region (37.5).

In January–September 2025, 62,200 new small enterprises and microfirms were established, excluding dehkan and farm enterprises. The majority of new entities were created in trade (22,918), industry (8,088), agriculture, forestry, and fisheries (7,714), and accommodation and food services (5,513).

During the first nine months of 2025, small businesses contributed 51.5% to Uzbekistan’s GDP. The largest sectoral shares were recorded in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries (96.9%), construction (77.6%), services (45.1%), and industry (26.4%).

Industrial output produced by small businesses reached 258.5 trillion soums, accounting for 33.4% of total industrial production and increasing by 16.7% compared to the same period in 2024.

Construction work totaled 169.99 trillion soums (75.7% of the total, +11.3%), while investment in fixed capital amounted to 270.14 trillion soums (60.9% of total, +29.2%).

In agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, small enterprises produced 355.7 trillion soums worth of goods, representing 97.1% of the sector’s total output, a 4.1% increase compared to the same period of 2024.

Retail trade turnover among small businesses reached 258.77 trillion soums (81.8% of total, +9.6%), and services amounted to 397.49 trillion soums (55.0% of total, +12.3%).

Exports by small business entities totaled US$8.5 billion (32.0% of total exports), while imports reached US$17.77 billion (53.7%).

In the transport sector, small businesses accounted for 51.8% of total freight transport (+7.0%), 77.0% of freight turnover (+7.3%), 90.9% of passenger transport (+3.8%), and 95.4% of passenger turnover (+3.2%) compared to January–September 2024.

These figures underscore the growing role of small and medium-sized enterprises in Uzbekistan’s economy, serving as key drivers of employment, innovation, and regional development.