Uzbekistan welcomed a record 7.75 million foreign tourists in seven months

Uzbekistan has taken the first place in Central Asia for tourism development rates, according to a report by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). Overall, Central Asia is recognized as the fastest-growing tourist region in the world.

The Travel & Tourism Economic Impact Research 2026 study showed record dynamics in the region across several key indicators, with Uzbekistan acting as the main driver of this growth, taking leading positions in all major metrics.

In 2025, the share of tourism in the Central Asian economy increased by 17.7%, and the direct contribution of the industry grew by 19.6%. The volume of tourism service exports reached $9.9 billion, which is 26.4% more than the previous year, marking the best result among all global regions. Furthermore, Uzbekistan contributed almost half of this amount, exporting tourism services worth $4.8 billion.

According to the WTTC, Uzbekistan has become the most sought-after destination among residents of the region, accounting for 25% of all trips. Other countries in the region showed the following results: Kazakhstan — 23%, Kyrgyzstan — 18%, Russia — 16%, and Turkey — 6%.

Experts attribute this success to the rich historical and cultural heritage and the growing interest in domestic tourism in Central Asia. The concept of forming a unified tourist space is also actively discussed, which could help increase the number of foreign visitors by simplifying borders, developing air transport, and creating common routes.

The report emphasizes the significant potential of such a unified space. Improving infrastructure, air transport, and borders can substantially boost the tourist flow from around the world. Structurally, foreign tourists accounted for two-thirds of all expenditures, while domestic tourists made up 35.7%. Most trips are recreational: 84.5% of expenses are for leisure, and only 15.5% are for business visits.

WTTC forecasts suggest that by 2036, the contribution of tourism to the Central Asian economy will nearly triple, reaching $29.7 billion. Additionally, Uzbekistan's authorities are tightening control in the industry: tour operators engaged in outbound tourism are required to reserve at least $50,000 in a special fund upon obtaining a license to ensure citizen protection in case of travel problems.

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.

Regions with the highest birth rates

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.

Regions with the lowest rates

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.

Flight and Passenger Traffic Details

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.

Results of Tashkent Operations and Regional Changes

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.

Decline in Indicators at Several Airports

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.