Uzbekistan Small Business Contributes 45.6% of GDP

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — As of 1 April 2026, Uzbekistan had 1,208,300 active small business entities, according to official statistical data highlighting the sector’s central role in the national economy.

Of this total, 507,100 were small enterprises and microfirms, including farms and dehkan farms; 347,700 were individual entrepreneurs; 353,500 were dehkan farms; 22,700 were artisans; and 900 were import goods traders.

On average, there were 31.5 small business entities per 1,000 residents. The highest density was recorded in Tashkent at 47.7, followed by Khorezm Region at 45.3, Syrdarya Region at 39.7, and Navoi Region at 37.7 per 1,000 people.

In the first quarter of 2026, the country created 22,200 new small enterprises and microfirms, excluding farms and dehkan households. The most active sector was trade, with 8,102 new entities, followed by agriculture with 2,956, industry with 2,610, and accommodation and food services with 1,942.

Small business remains a major pillar of the economy. In January–March 2026, its contribution to GDP reached 194,762.0 billion soums, equal to 45.6% of total economic output.

The sector’s share is particularly high in agriculture, forestry and fisheries at 94.6%, construction at 77.0%, services at 47.1%, and industry at 21.8%.

Industrial output from small businesses reached 79,658.9 billion soums over the period, accounting for 27.5% of total industrial production, with growth of 18.2% year on year. In construction, output totaled 47,998.3 billion soums, representing 75.1% of the sector and growing by 8.6%.

In investment activity, small businesses accounted for 105,105.1 billion soums in capital investments, or 67.2% of the total, with growth of 46.9% compared to the same period last year.

In agriculture, small business made up 94.7% of production, totaling 60,045.6 billion soums. In retail trade, its share was 83%, while in services it accounted for 57.3%.

In foreign economic activity, small businesses generated nearly half of exports at 2,878.8 million US dollars, or 49.6% of the total. Their share of imports stood at 54.2%, reaching 6,615.1 million US dollars.

The sector also dominates transport services, accounting for 54.7% of road freight transport and 75.6% of freight turnover, as well as more than 90% of passenger transport and 94.8% of passenger turnover, underscoring its deep integration into logistics and mobility services across the country.