Uzbekistan Presents Preliminary Results of First Digital Population and Agricultural Census

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The preliminary results of the first-ever digital population and agricultural census in the history of independent Uzbekistan have been presented in Tashkent. The compiled data will serve as the foundation for formulating state policy, developing social infrastructure, and making decisions driven by modern statistics.

On June 30, the National Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Statistics, with the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), presented the preliminary results of the landmark digital census, which was conducted from January 15 to February 28, 2026.

The presentation brought together representatives from government agencies, UN bodies, international financial institutions, the diplomatic corps, the scientific community, civil society institutions, and the media. Attendees discussed the initial findings of the massive statistical study, the nuances of the methodology used, and prospects for incorporating the acquired data into state policy development.

A New Era for National Statistics

Opening the event, the Chairman of the National Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Statistics, Bekhzod Khamraev, highlighted the historical importance of the census for the country. He noted that the collected information will become a bedrock for more informed decision-making in socio-economic development, improving public services, and elevating the population's quality of life.

Khamraev extended his appreciation to the international partners that supported the execution of the project, including UNFPA, the World Bank, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Welcoming remarks were also delivered by the UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan, Dr. Sabine Machl, the UNFPA Representative in Uzbekistan, Dr. Nigina Abaszada, and other representatives of international organizations.

Digital Technologies Enhancing Data Quality

During the presentation, speakers unveiled the preliminary findings of the census and provided a detailed breakdown of the methodological approaches utilized.

Special attention was focused on the deployment of digital technologies, which successfully automated the data collection process, accelerated processing times, and ensured a higher level of data accuracy. Participants also mapped out the upcoming phases of material processing, analytical evaluation, and the systematic publication of final results.

The Foundation for State Policy

A national census stands as a primary source of official statistics, yielding comprehensive data on population size, age and family structure, education levels, employment, migration trends, housing conditions, and other key socio-economic characteristics.

This data is crucial for designing state programs, planning infrastructure development, optimizing healthcare, education, and social protection systems, regulating the labor market, and monitoring progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Support from International Partners

UNFPA provided comprehensive technical assistance throughout the preparation and execution of the census. International experts assisted in crafting the methodology, engineering digital tools, training personnel, monitoring data quality, and introducing leading international practices.

As noted by the UNFPA Representative in Uzbekistan, Dr. Nigina Abaszada, high-quality statistical data is the cornerstone of effective state policy. According to her, the census offers an objective demographic snapshot of the nation, helping map out the true needs of the population and steering public investments more effectively toward sustainable development.

Next Step: In-Depth Data Analysis

The release of these preliminary results marks the transition to a new phase of work, involving the deep analysis of the collected data and its integration into state planning processes.

The finalized census data is expected to help precisely forecast demographic shifts, address the explicit needs of various population demographics, and foster evidence-based governance. The successful execution of this first digital census represents a major milestone in modernizing Uzbekistan's national statistical framework, aligning it with international standards and modern data practices.