Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — From January to December 2024, a total of 132,298 crimes were registered in Uzbekistan, marking a 27.1% increase compared to the same period in 2023 and a 19.1% rise compared to 2021. These figures were reported by the Statistics Agency, citing the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

During the period under review, there were 35.6 crimes per 10,000 people. By comparison, this figure stood at 31.8 in 2021, 29.2 in 2022, and 28.3 in 2023.

The highest crime rate per 10,000 people was recorded in Tashkent, reaching 104.3. It was followed by Tashkent (47.7), Navoi (38.0), Bukhara (36.3), Syrdarya (35.7), and Ferghana (34.8) regions.

The lowest crime rates were observed in the Republic of Karakalpakstan (23.2), Samarkand (22.1), and Kashkadarya (21.8) regions, with Khorezm recording the lowest rate at 21.5 crimes per 10,000 people.

An analysis of crime trends reveals that the number of especially serious crimes from January to December 2024 reached 5,357, an increase of 24.1% compared to 2023. The number of serious crimes rose 2.4 times, while crimes of moderate severity decreased by 33.4%, and those posing a low level of public danger declined by 14.4%.

Regionally, the highest number of crimes was reported in Tashkent (32,106 cases), followed by Tashkent (14,702), Ferghana (14,289), and Samarkand (9,402) regions. The lowest crime figures were noted in Syrdarya (3,295), Navoi (4,120), and Jizzakh (4,288) regions.

Compared to the same period in 2023, Syrdarya region saw a decline in crime by 92 cases.

In 2021, 111,082 crimes were recorded, whereas by 2024, this number had risen to 132,298. Over the four-year period (2021–2024), the number of registered crimes increased by 21,216, representing a 19.1% rise. Compared to 2023, the increase was 27.1%, and in relation to 2022, it was 27.6%.

From January to December 2024, among crimes classified as posing no significant public danger, the highest levels were recorded in Tashkent (20.8%), Ferghana (14.3%), and Tashkent (13.2%) regions. In the category of less severe crimes, Tashkent (15.5%), Tashkent (13.2%), and Ferghana (12.4%) regions led, while the lowest figures were reported in Syrdarya (3.5%) and Khorezm (3.1%) regions.

Among serious crimes, the highest percentage was recorded in Tashkent (27.6%), Tashkent (9.5%), and Ferghana (8.8%) regions, while the lowest numbers were observed in Jizzakh (3.6%), Navoi (3.3%), Syrdarya (2.3%) regions, and the Republic of Karakalpakstan (3.2%). In terms of especially serious crimes, the highest concentration was noted in Tashkent (32.7%), Tashkent (10.5%), Samarkand (9.1%), and Ferghana (7.7%) regions, while the lowest rates were found in Syrdarya (3.1%), Navoi (2.1%), Jizzakh (1.9%) regions, and the Republic of Karakalpakstan (2.7%).

In absolute terms, the highest number of especially serious crimes was recorded in Tashkent (1,753 cases), followed by Tashkent (563), Samarkand (489), and Ferghana (411) regions. In Andijan, 306 such crimes were registered, in Namangan—299, in Khorezm—271, and in Surkhandarya—263. The lowest numbers of especially serious crimes were reported in Navoi (100 cases), Jizzakh (110), and the Republic of Karakalpakstan (145).

An analysis of crime categories showed that economic crimes accounted for the largest share (62.9%), followed by crimes against public security and order (20.2%), offenses against government authorities, administration, and public organizations (5.4%), and crimes against individuals (11.2%). Crimes against peace and security (0.2%) and environmental violations (0.1%) constituted a minor share.

Among economic crimes, thefts made up 58.1% of all recorded violations, fraud accounted for 35.1%, robberies for 0.6%, embezzlement or misappropriation for 1.6%, and armed robberies for 0.2%. In numerical terms, from January to December 2024, there were 29,252 cases of fraud (35.1% of all economic crimes), 48,375 thefts (58.1%), 1,368 cases of embezzlement or misappropriation (1.6%), 330 cases of tax evasion (0.4%), 517 robberies (0.6%), 501 extortions (0.6%), 649 cases of counterfeiting money, excise stamps, or securities (0.8%), and 163 armed robberies (0.2%). Additionally, 304 cases of violations in the use of energy resources and utilities (0.4%), 351 cases of illegal production or circulation of alcohol and tobacco products (0.4%), and 117 cases of abuse of power in non-governmental commercial and other organizations (0.1%) were identified.

Among crimes against individuals, intentional minor bodily harm accounted for the largest share at 20.2% of all registered offenses. The proportion of intentional moderate bodily harm was 16.1%, while cases of evasion from supporting minors or incapacitated persons stood at 9.6%.

From January to December 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, there was a decline in several crime categories. Cases of intentional minor bodily harm decreased by 21.8%, rape and attempted rape by 6.9%, and crimes related to negligent homicide by 11.4%. The number of intentional severe bodily harm cases, including injuries dangerous to life or resulting in loss of vision or speech, fell by 10.9%.

At the same time, there was a rise in human trafficking crimes by 22.9% and intentional murders and attempted murders by 0.3%.

Among crimes against public security and order, the most common offenses included the illegal manufacture and distribution of narcotic drugs (34.1%), violations of road traffic safety and vehicle operation regulations (35.0%), and hooliganism (8.9%).

Over the year, there was an increase in crimes related to drug trafficking by 36.8%, the organization and conduct of illegal gambling by 21.6%, vehicle theft by 8.5%, and the cultivation of prohibited plants by 13.3%. However, cases of hooliganism decreased by 9.1%, traffic violations by 4.9%, and labor safety violations by 12.7%. Notably, crimes related to money laundering—actions aimed at legitimizing illegally obtained funds—dropped significantly by 50.8%.

The total number of individuals who committed crimes during the reporting period was 59,951. Among them, minors accounted for 5.6%, while women made up 11.9%. Compared to the same period in 2023, the number of offenders decreased by 28,962, representing a 32.6% decline.

The highest number of criminals was recorded in Tashkent, with 10,238 individuals, followed by Ferghana region (7,878) and Tashkent region (7,560). The lowest figures were registered in Syrdarya region (1,724), Khorezm region (1,617), and the Republic of Karakalpakstan (2,007).

When calculating the number of offenders per 100,000 population, the capital leads with 332.8 criminals per 100,000 people, followed by Tashkent region (245.4), Ferghana region (192.0), Syrdarya region (186.9), Namangan region (169.4), Navoi region (176.2), Bukhara region (141.7), Andijan region (132.5), Jizzakh region (128.3), and Samarkand region (115.8).

From January to December 2024, the total number of women who committed crimes amounted to 7,163. The highest number was recorded in Ferghana region (940), Tashkent region (737), and Tashkent city (1,189). The lowest figures were in Syrdarya region (169), Jizzakh region (203), and the Republic of Karakalpakstan (265).

The number of male offenders for the same period reached 52,788. The highest concentration was in Tashkent (9,049), Ferghana region (6,938), and Tashkent region (6,823).

Age analysis of criminals showed that the majority of offenders were over 31 years old, accounting for 56.7% (33,969 individuals). Those aged 18 to 30 made up 37.7% (22,618), while teenagers aged 15–17 accounted for 5.0% (2,998), and minors aged 13–14 represented 0.6% (366).

The most common crimes were as follows: intentional murders and attempted murders—273 cases, infliction of serious bodily harm—945, rapes and attempted rapes—344, thefts—9,278, robberies and armed assaults—781, fraud—5,430, extortion—552, hooliganism—3,126, embezzlement or misappropriation—1,152, and bribery—1,329 cases.

Among individuals over 31, the most prevalent crimes were theft (42.5% of the total) and fraud (61.7%). In the 18–30 age group, theft accounted for 41.1%, fraud—36.2%, and hooliganism—52.8%. Among teenagers aged 15–17, theft made up 13.7% of all crimes, robbery and assault—22%, and hooliganism—10.3%. In the 13–14 age group, theft accounted for 2.7% and hooliganism for 1.1%.

By gender, out of 273 cases of intentional murder and attempted murder, 242 were committed by men and 31 by women. Compared to 2023, crimes committed by men decreased by 32.4%, while among women, there was a 19.2% increase. In cases of intentional infliction of serious bodily harm, men were responsible for 894 out of 945 incidents, while women committed 51. Crime rates among men in this category dropped by 26.0%, and among women, by 36.3%.

Out of the total thefts (9,278), the vast majority were committed by men—7,951 cases, while women accounted for 1,327. Compared to 2023, thefts by men decreased by 5.8%, and by women—by 13.0%. In fraud cases (5,430), men were involved in 4,646 crimes and women in 784. The number of such crimes dropped by 60.6% among men and by 64.0% among women.

During the reporting period, the number of juvenile offenders decreased by 235 compared to 2023. In total, 3,364 juvenile offenders were identified from January to December 2024, making up 5.6% of all criminals. Among them, girls accounted for 8.9% (300 individuals).

Compared to 2023, juvenile crime decreased by 6.5%, but compared to 2022, there was an 8.1% increase. The highest number of juvenile offenders was registered in Tashkent (580), Ferghana region (594), Namangan region (375), and Tashkent region (342). The lowest numbers were in Khorezm region (45), Syrdarya region (61), and Jizzakh region (69).

From January to December 2024, juveniles committed various crimes, with the most common being theft—1,521 cases, hooliganism—356, fraud—113, robberies and armed assaults—187, intentional infliction of serious bodily harm—106, extortion—47, and intentional murders and attempted murders—7.

Among male juveniles, the highest number of offenders was recorded in Ferghana region—536 individuals, accounting for 17.5% of all juvenile criminals in the region. Next were Tashkent city—524 individuals (17.1%), Namangan region—328 (10.7%), and Tashkent region—313 (10.2%). Among female juveniles, the highest numbers were also recorded in Ferghana region—58, Namangan region—47, Tashkent region—29, Andijan region—24, and Tashkent city—56.

A comparative analysis of data for January–December 2024 and the same period in 2023 showed a decline in juvenile crimes in the following categories: theft—by 5.1%, rapes and attempted rapes—by 11.1%, fraud—by 16.3%, hooliganism—by 21.4%, and intentional murders and attempted murders—by 41.7%.

However, an increase was observed in some categories. The number of armed assaults rose by 13.8%, extortion—by 74.1%, intentional serious bodily harm—by 1.9%, and robberies—by 1.3%. A significant increase of 61.4% was noted among juveniles involved in crimes related to the illegal manufacture, acquisition, storage, and distribution of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances.

Additionally, during the reporting period, there were 92 cases of drug manufacturing or distribution by minors, 156 incidents of traffic violations resulting in fatalities, and five cases of counterfeiting money or securities.