Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan's permanent population reached 39.5352 million as of 1 October 2026, an increase of 1.8% compared with the same date a year earlier, according to the National Statistics Committee.
The figures are based on the results of the population and agricultural census conducted as of 15 January 2026.
During January–September 2026, Uzbekistan recorded 638,600 births and 123,400 deaths, resulting in a natural population increase of 515,200 people.
The country also registered 172,000 marriages and 36,800 divorces during the nine-month period.
International migration records showed 2,114 arrivals from abroad and 6,398 departures, producing a net migration outflow of 4,284 people.
Urban population exceeds 21.5 million
As of 1 October, Uzbekistan's urban population stood at 21.5238 million, accounting for 54.4% of the total.
The rural population reached 18.0114 million, or 45.6%.
Men numbered 20.014 million, representing 50.6% of the population, while women accounted for 19.5212 million, or 49.4%.
Samarkand region remained Uzbekistan's most populous region, with 4.4628 million residents.
It was followed by Ferghana region with 4.293 million, Tashkent region with 3.7991 million, Kashkadarya region with 3.7462 million and Andijan region with 3.5744 million.
The population of Tashkent city stood at 3.2785 million.
Syrdarya and Navoi regions recorded the smallest populations, at 965,400 and 1.1966 million, respectively.
Surkhandarya region registered the fastest annual population growth at 2.2%.
Kashkadarya region and Tashkent city each recorded growth of 2.1%, followed by Jizzakh region at 2%.
The slowest growth was recorded in Karakalpakstan at 1.1% and Navoi region at 1.3%.
Population density increased to 88.1 people per square kilometre as of 1 October 2026, compared with 86.5 a year earlier and 81.4 in 2022.
Births decline for third consecutive year
Uzbekistan recorded 638,600 births during the first nine months of 2026, a decrease of 26,000 compared with the corresponding period of 2025.
The birth rate stood at 21.7 per 1,000 population.
Births have declined for three consecutive years. During January–September 2023, the country recorded 716,900 births, followed by 693,900 in 2024 and 664,600 in 2025.
Of the children born during the first nine months of 2026, 329,800 were boys, accounting for 51.6%, while 308,800 were girls, or 48.4%.
Urban areas recorded 310,500 births, representing 48.6% of the total, while rural areas accounted for 328,100 births, or 51.4%.
The number of deaths declined by 8,800 compared with the same period last year, reaching 123,400.
The mortality rate stood at 4.2 deaths per 1,000 population.
Men accounted for 68,500 deaths, or 55.5%, while women accounted for 54,900, or 44.5%.
Of the people who died, 65,700, or 53.2%, lived in urban areas, while 57,700, or 46.8%, lived in rural communities.
Marriages decline as divorces increase
Uzbekistan registered 172,000 marriages during January–September 2026, down 5,000 from the corresponding period of 2025.
The marriage rate stood at 5.9 per 1,000 population.
Marriage registrations have been declining since 2022, when 197,000 marriages were recorded during the first nine months of the year.
In 2026, urban areas accounted for 88,000 marriages, or 51.2% of the total, while rural areas recorded 84,000, or 48.8%.
Divorces moved in the opposite direction, increasing by 1,400 to 36,800.
The divorce rate reached 1.3 per 1,000 population.
Urban areas accounted for 21,900 divorces, representing 59.5% of the total, compared with 14,900, or 40.5%, in rural areas.
Domestic migration exceeds 260,000 people
During January–September 2026, a total of 260,746 people changed their place of residence within Uzbekistan.
Including international arrivals, the total number of people arriving at new places of residence reached 262,860, while departures totalled 267,144.
International departures exceeded arrivals by 4,284 people.
Tashkent city recorded the largest number of arrivals, at 91,142, while 65,072 people departed from the capital.
The city also led in international arrivals, with 1,396 people moving there from abroad.
Karakalpakstan recorded the highest number of departures abroad, at 2,329, followed by Tashkent region with 1,647 and Navoi region with 1,312.
International departures have declined since reaching a peak of 14,666 during the first nine months of 2023.
The corresponding figure fell to 8,374 in 2024 and 7,585 in 2025 before declining further to 6,398 in 2026.
Meanwhile, arrivals from abroad increased from 1,133 during January–September 2025 to 2,114 in the same period of 2026.
Population figures revised following census
The National Statistics Committee noted that the latest population estimates reflect methodological adjustments following the new population census.
Before the census, Uzbekistan's population figures were calculated by adding annual birth, death and migration data to the results of the 1989 census.
Over time, discrepancies developed between these estimates and the actual population.
According to the committee, the differences arose partly because population censuses record people according to their actual place of residence, while births, deaths and migration are registered according to permanent residence records.
To ensure comparability, population figures for previous years have also been recalculated.
The committee said the statistics may be revised further once the final census results are published.
