Uzbekistan is approaching near-universal internet access, with 94.2% of the population connected as of early September, according to the national statistics agency. The growth has been rapid: in 2021, just 76.6% of residents were online, rising to 83.9% in 2022, 89% in 2023 and 93.3% in 2024. In only four years, the share of internet users has expanded by almost 18 percentage points.
Telecommunication services are also on track for record figures. By the end of 2025, the value of services in this sector is expected to reach 24.1 trln soums, representing an annual increase of 12.5%.
Low-Cost Internet Access
Uzbekistan has also secured a place among the world’s most affordable internet providers. According to Rosstat data cited by RIA Novosti, the country ranks fifth globally, with an average monthly fee of $11.5 for internet access. India tops the list at $7.7, followed by Russia at $8.7, Romania at $9.8 and China at $11.3. Close behind Uzbekistan are Kyrgyzstan ($11.7) and Kazakhstan ($12.7).
By contrast, the United States has the highest internet prices at $72.1 per month, followed by Canada at $61.7 and Luxembourg at $59.1.
Rosstat noted that Russian residents spend the smallest share of their income on internet services at just 0.67%. Romania ranks second on this measure at 0.9%, with South Korea third at 0.97%.
Kursiv also reports that Afghanistan has been plunged into a complete internet blackout after the Taliban government imposed a nationwide shutdown of telecommunications, weeks after beginning to cut fibre-optic connections.
