Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Tashkent ranked 343rd among the 1,000 largest cities in the world in the Global Cities Index 2026 compiled by analytical centre Oxford Economics. The Uzbek capital improved its position by 128 places over the past year, according to the ranking.
Tashkent also entered the list of 28 Cities to Watch — cities that, according to the study’s authors, are showing notable momentum and have potential to move further up the ranking.
Oxford Economics noted that Tashkent is gradually strengthening its position as a promising economic centre in Central Asia. The study said that before the collapse of the Soviet Union, the city was a major industrial centre, while after Uzbekistan gained independence and expanded its international ties, its economy became more diversified.
The ranking’s authors also highlighted the capital’s continued economic growth, active construction and increased investment activity across various sectors. At the same time, Tashkent has experienced sustained population growth, which Oxford Economics said distinguishes it from a number of other cities in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
Analysts identified the capital’s geographical location and skilled workforce among its advantages. At the same time, relatively low GDP per capita, in Oxford Economics’ assessment, creates a risk of skilled workers leaving for countries with higher income levels. Other challenges include environmental pressures, including water shortages.
The Global Cities Index evaluates cities across five areas: economics, human capital, quality of life, environment and governance. Each indicator is measured on a scale from 0 to 100, after which the results are combined into an overall ranking.
In economics, Tashkent scored 54.7 points and ranked 188th globally, placing it in the top 20% of the ranking. The category considers the size and structure of the urban economy, its past growth and prospects for further expansion.
In human capital, the capital scored 61.5 points and ranked 108th, also placing it in the top 20%. The indicator reflects the scale and quality of the workforce, as well as the city’s ability to attract, develop and retain skilled professionals.
Tashkent scored 47.5 points for quality of life, ranking 644th and placing it in the bottom 40% of the ranking. The indicator takes into account residents’ wellbeing and satisfaction, financial conditions, health and access to urban infrastructure.
The capital’s environmental score was 45.1 points, corresponding to 806th place and the bottom 15% of the ranking. Oxford Economics assesses both a city’s ability to combine economic development with environmental protection and its vulnerability to environmental risks.
Tashkent recorded its lowest result among the five categories in governance, with 40.2 points and 825th place. The city was in the bottom 15% of the ranking. The indicator measures the resilience of urban institutions, the quality of regulation and the stability of conditions for residents and businesses. Oxford Economics emphasises that effective governance is crucial for planning, investment and meeting the needs of a city.
New York ranked first in the Global Cities Index 2026 with 100 points. London was second with 98.8 points, followed by Paris with 93.4 points. The top 10 also included Seattle, San Francisco, Dublin, Boston, San Jose, Tokyo and Zurich.
Among other Central Asian cities, Almaty ranked 265th, while Astana was 281st. Bishkek ranked 461st, Ashgabat 668th and Dushanbe 672nd.
In November 2025, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev instructed that Tashkent be brought into the top 300 cities with a sustainable environmental situation in the Global Cities Index. Measures planned for this purpose included the creation of artificial water bodies and an expansion of green areas.
