According to data from the National Committee on Statistics, the number of mobile internet subscribers in Uzbekistan reached 33.3 million as of January 1, 2026.
According to data from the National Committee on Statistics, the number of mobile internet subscribers in Uzbekistan reached 33.3 million as of January 1, 2026.
Compared to 2015, the number of mobile internet users grew by 25.5 million people, which represents an increase of 4.3 times. Ten years ago, 7.8 million mobile internet subscribers were registered in the country.
A steady growth in the number of users was observed during this period. In 2016, there were 9 million mobile internet subscribers, and in 2017, 10.3 million. In 2018, this figure was 12.7 million, and in 2019, 15.7 million.
The growth continued: in 2020, the number of users reached 17.9 million, in 2021—21 million, in 2022—24 million, in 2023—27.1 million, and in 2024—29.2 million. By the beginning of 2026, the total number of mobile internet subscribers amounted to 33.3 million.
Ucell has confirmed the high level of development of its network and the quality of the services provided. According to an independent analysis by Speedtest Intelligence®, COSCOM (TM Ucell) was recognized for the fifth consecutive time as having the fastest mobile internet in Uzbekistan, thus maintaining the title of the best mobile network in the country.
These prestigious international awards were presented at the MWC Shanghai 2026 (GSMA) World Mobile Congress, which is one of the largest global events in the field of telecommunications and mobile technologies.
Based on the analysis conducted by Speedtest Intelligence® for the first half of 2026, Ucell received two international awards: 'Fastest Mobile Internet in Uzbekistan'—this is the third year in a row, and also 'Best Mobile Network in Uzbekistan.'
The awards are determined based on data received from users through the Speedtest® application and reflect the real parameters of the mobile network's operation, including connection stability, data transfer speed, and overall user experience quality.
Steven Bay, President and CEO of Ookla, noted that awarding Ucell the Speedtest Awards for the fastest and best mobile network in Uzbekistan for the first half of 2026 demonstrates the company's constant commitment to providing top-level services. He emphasized that this recognition is based on a thorough study of millions of user tests conducted using Speedtest, which demonstrates the real performance of the network. According to Bay, Ucell has shown the ability to invest in network development and pay close attention to operational excellence, which is critically important for improving service quality and supporting Uzbekistan's digital development.
Andrey Shishkovsky, CEO of Ucell, stressed the significance of this achievement, as 2026 is a milestone year for the company, celebrating 30 years of operation in the Uzbek telecommunications market. He reported that today over 12 million subscribers use Ucell's services. The company continues to actively develop its fifth-generation (5G) network, increase coverage area, upgrade telecommunication infrastructure, and integrate modern digital solutions to ensure high-quality mobile communication throughout the country.
Thus, the international awards once again confirm that Ucell maintains a high technological level, setting high standards for mobile communication quality that are available daily to millions of residents of Uzbekistan.
Ookla® is positioned as a global leader in assessing the performance of both mobile and broadband networks and is widely known for the Speedtest® service and the Speedtest Intelligence® analytical platform. Speedtest Award winners are chosen based on actual measurements made by users themselves, which guarantees the objectivity of the assessment of mobile network quality and user experience.
According to data from the National Committee on Statistics, the population of Uzbekistan increased by more than 373 thousand people during the period from January to June 2026. During these six months, 373.4 thousand live births were officially registered in the country.
The largest number of newborns was recorded in the Samarkand region, where 46.4 thousand babies were born. The Fergana region took second place with 41.7 thousand newborns, and Kashkadarya showed the third result—41.2 thousand children.
In addition, a significant number of births were registered in Surkhandarya (35.5 thousand), Andijan region (nearly 33 thousand), and Namangan region (31.4 thousand). Over 29 thousand children were born in the Tashkent region in the first half of the year, and 27.4 thousand in the capital itself.
The lowest birth rates were noted in Karakalpakstan, where 15.9 thousand children were born. Low figures were also recorded in Navoi region (10.7 thousand) and Syrdarya region (9.3 thousand).
For context, almost 880 thousand babies were born in Uzbekistan last year.
In the first half of 2026, Uzbekistan's airports demonstrated a 16% increase in passenger traffic. During this period, 64,831 flights were operated, which is an 8% increase compared to the same period last year. This information was provided by the press service of Uzbekistan Airports.
Of the total number of flights, 47,371 were directed to international destinations, and 17,460 were domestic. The total number of passengers served over six months reached 8,153,470 people, with international flights covering 6,698,358 passengers and domestic flights covering 1,455,112. Additionally, the volume of cargo and mail processed amounted to 51,546 tons, which is 33% more than in the first half of 2025.
Tashkent International Airport became the leader in transport volumes. It served 40,283 flights (an increase of 7%), accommodated 5,364,282 passengers (an increase of 17%), and handled 48,170 tons of cargo and mail (an increase of 33%). The company attributes this growth of the capital airport to the expansion of its route network.
Significant growth in passenger traffic was also observed at Termez (a 52% increase), Urgench (a 24% increase), and Nukus (a 23% increase). These positive trends are due to the opening of new international routes and an increase in domestic flights during the tourist season.
Some airports recorded a decrease in indicators. Specifically, Fergana airports saw 11% fewer flights, Namangan reported an 11% decrease in passenger traffic, Karsh experienced a 6% reduction in flights and a 22% decrease in passenger traffic, and Navoi saw a 27% decrease in passenger traffic. Uzbekistan Airports explained this change by the structure of the route network, adjustments in demand in certain directions, and the impact of the current geopolitical situation, which led to schedule revisions.
