Uzbekistan's population recounted: 39.02 million people at the start of 2026

Uzbekistan's population as of January 1, 2026 stood at 39.02 million people — 786,900 people, or 2.1%, more than the previous estimate. The National Statistical Committee carried out the revision of the data for 2010–2026.

The revision was a consequence of the first census since 1989. The final census count as of January 15, 2026 is 39.05 million people. Previously, annual estimates were obtained by adding natural increase and net migration to the results of the 1989 census; over time the divergence from the actual population grew.

Methodological support was provided by an international expert with technical assistance from UNFPA and the International Organization for Migration. The recalculation was carried out by backward counting from the census results using the demographic balancing equation, broken down by sex and age — by districts and cities, separately for the urban and rural population. Nineteen administrative-territorial changes were taken into account. The numbers of registered births, deaths, arrivals, departures, marriages and divorces did not change — only the indicators per 1,000 people were recalculated.

For 2011–2026 the divergence ranges from 565,700 to 786,900 people (1.9–2.1%). For 2010 it is larger — 1.21 million people, or 4.3%: the committee explains this by a one-time adjustment as of January 1, 2011, following a sample survey on April 21–30, 2011, which covered 10% of the population in each district and city.

Men — 19.75 million (+496,500, 2.6%), women — 19.27 million (+290,400, 1.5%). The share of men rose from 50.4% to 50.6%; there are 102.5 men per 100 women, against 101.5 previously.

The urban-rural balance changed most of all: the urban population was revised upward by 1.79 million — to 21.26 million, the rural population downward by 1.01 million — to 17.76 million. The share of urban residents rose from 50.9% to 54.5%. Previous estimates relied on permanent registration, whereas the census recorded actual place of residence.

The population grew in 12 of the 14 age groups. Most of all in the 40–49 group: plus 210,500 (4.5%). The 50–59 group accounts for plus 120,900 (3.5%), the 20–24 group — plus 105,800 (4.1%), the 16–19 group — plus 74,100 (3%). Children aged 0–15 increased by 244,100 (2%) — to 12.51 million. Estimates declined only for ages 25–34: minus 120,000 (2%). The number of people aged 60 and over grew by 121,300 (3.2%), those aged 65 and over — by 87,100 (3.6%).

The average age as of January 1, 2026 is 29.6 years, against the previous estimate of 29.5; in 2010 it was 27 years. The oldest region is Tashkent (33.6 years), the youngest is Surkhandarya Region (27.4 years).