According to the analytical center Oxford Economics, Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, ranked 343rd out of 1000 largest cities in the Global Cities Index 2026. Over the past year, the position of the Uzbek capital improved by 128 points.
Furthermore, Tashkent was included in the list of 28 cities to watch, as the study authors note that these cities are demonstrating significant momentum and possess the potential for further growth in the ranking.
Oxford Economics emphasized that Tashkent is gradually strengthening its position as a promising economic hub in Central Asia. Previously, before the collapse of the Soviet Union, the city was a major industrial center; however, after Uzbekistan gained independence and expanded international ties, its economy became more diversified.
The rating authors also drew attention to the continuous economic growth of the capital, active construction, and increased investment activity across various sectors. Moreover, Tashkent is experiencing steady population growth, which, according to Oxford Economics, distinguishes it from several other cities in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
Analysts cited the capital's geographical location and skilled workforce as some of its advantages. Nevertheless, the relatively low GDP per capita, according to Oxford Economics, poses a risk of skilled labor outflow to countries with higher income levels. Other challenges include environmental pressure, such as water scarcity.
The Global Cities Index evaluates cities across five dimensions: economy, human capital, quality of life, environment, and governance. Each indicator is measured on a scale of 0 to 100, and the results are then combined to form the overall ranking.
In the economy sector, Tashkent scored 54.7 points, ranking 188th globally, which corresponds to being in the top 20% of the ranking. This category considers the size and structure of the urban economy, its past growth, and prospects for future expansion.
For human capital, the capital received 61.5 points and ranked 108th, also falling within the top 20%. This indicator reflects the scale and quality of the workforce, as well as the city's ability to attract, develop, and retain highly qualified specialists.
Regarding quality of life, Tashkent received 47.5 points, ranking 644th and situated in the lower quartile of the ranking. This metric accounts for residents' well-being and satisfaction, financial status, healthcare, and accessibility of urban infrastructure.
The capital's environmental score was 45.1 points, corresponding to 806th place and placing it in the bottom 15% of the ranking. Oxford Economics assesses both the city's ability to combine economic development with environmental protection and its vulnerability to ecological risks.
Tashkent showed its weakest result among the five categories in governance, scoring 40.2 points and ranking 825th, placing it in the bottom 15% of the ranking. This indicator measures the resilience of urban institutions, the quality of regulation, and the stability of conditions for residents and businesses. Oxford Economics emphasizes that effective governance is critical for planning, investment, and meeting the city's needs.
In the Global Cities Index 2026, New York ranked first with 100 points, London second with 98.8 points, and Paris third with 93.4 points. Seattle, San Francisco, Dublin, Boston, San Jose, Tokyo, and Zurich were also among the top ten leaders.
Among other Central Asian cities, Almaty ranked 265th, and Astana ranked 281st. Bishkek was ranked 461st, Ashgabat 668th, and Dushanbe 672nd.
In November 2025, the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, instructed ensuring Tashkent's inclusion in the top 300 cities with a sustainable environmental situation in the Global Cities Index. Measures planned to achieve this goal include the creation of artificial water bodies and the expansion of green zones.
