Only One in Four Tajik Residents Lives in a City, Study Finds
Tajikistan remains the least urbanised country in Central Asia, with only 27.98% of its population living in urban areas, according to new regional analysis. The figure means that nearly three-quarters of the country’s residents continue to live in rural communities.
The report contrasts Tajikistan with its neighbours, where urbanisation has progressed much further. Around 59% of Kazakhstan’s population lives in cities, compared with approximately 52% in Turkmenistan, 50% in Uzbekistan and 38% in Kyrgyzstan. Analysts attribute Tajikistan’s slower urban growth to its continued reliance on agriculture and rural livelihoods, where farming and small-scale businesses remain the main sources of income.
Despite its low urbanisation rate, Tajikistan is expected to experience increasing migration to cities in the coming years as people seek better jobs and public services. Experts warn that expanding urban populations will require significant investment in housing, transport, utilities and social infrastructure to ensure sustainable development.
