Uzbekistan Posts 8.7% Economic Growth in Q1 2026
Uzbekistan’s economy expanded by a robust 8.7% in the first quarter of 2026 despite ongoing global financial instability.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev revealed the latest economic figures during his address to the Asian Development Bank Board of Governors in Samarkand. He stressed that improving the quality of life for citizens remains the core focus of ongoing state reforms.
These initiatives have successfully increased the incomes of 8.5 mln vulnerable citizens. Consequently, the national poverty rate has dropped dramatically from roughly 35% down to just 5.8%.
The president noted that over the past decade Uzbekistan has ranked among the top five nations globally for making the most progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Looking forward to 2030, the government intends to transition all industrial sectors towards a technology and innovation-driven model. Officials project this shift will grow the national economy to over $240 bn.
To support this growth and boost foreign investor confidence, the state is preparing a major new privatisation drive. The government plans to list a 30% stake in the National Investment Fund on international stock exchanges in the near future. This prominent fund controls key assets across 13 large strategic enterprises.
