Uzbekistan ranked second among 20 countries in terms of satisfaction with the state healthcare system, where 82% of the population positively assessed its performance in 2026. This figure is 13 percentage points higher than the previous year. Meanwhile, 55% of citizens use artificial intelligence to obtain health information, but most people still trust doctors in making final medical decisions.
The results are presented in the international STADA Health Report 2026. The average level of satisfaction across all surveyed countries was 56%, meaning Uzbekistan's result exceeded the average by 26 percentage points. The share of respondents giving the highest ratings increased significantly: 22% of residents reported complete satisfaction with the healthcare system, compared to 7% in 2025 and 10% on average in the survey. Another 60% were quite satisfied with its performance. A total of 14% of respondents rated the system negatively, which is lower than the average in the 20 countries, which was 42%. Of these, 10% were quite dissatisfied, and 4% were completely dissatisfied, while another 4% could not answer.
The trend in Uzbekistan differs from the general picture. On average in the survey, satisfaction decreased from 58% in 2025 to 56% in 2026, whereas in Uzbekistan it rose from 69% to 82%. The highest level of satisfaction was recorded in Belgium at 86%, and the lowest in Hungary at 27%.
Unlike the survey average, where men rated the system slightly higher than women (59% versus 53%), the situation in Uzbekistan is the opposite: 86% of women and 78% of men expressed a positive opinion about healthcare. The level of satisfaction remains high across all age groups: 85% among respondents aged 18–34 and 80% among those aged 35–54 and over 55. Meanwhile, the proportion of dissatisfied respondents gradually increases with age—from 11% among youth to 18% among respondents over 55.
The main focus this year was the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. In Uzbekistan, 55% of residents use AI, which corresponds to the average across all countries. However, the way it is used differs: Uzbek residents most often turn to AI for a second opinion after a doctor's visit (21% of respondents, compared to 16% on average). Another 15% use AI to better understand a diagnosis and receive recommendations on lifestyle, nutrition, and physical activity, while 14% use it to prepare for a specialist consultation. Approximately 10% use it before visiting a pharmacy and for a preliminary assessment of their condition, 7% seek psychological and emotional support, and 5% use it to monitor chronic diseases and medication reminders.
AI usage varies significantly depending on age. Among respondents under 35, 69% use it, compared to 54% in the 35–54 age group and 27% among people over 55. Contrary to the overall survey trend, where people with poor mental health use AI slightly more, the situation in Uzbekistan is the opposite: 43% of respondents with poor mental health use AI, and 57% of those who consider their mental health good. The difference by income level is small: 56% among financially secure residents and 52% among those experiencing financial difficulties.
The study authors note that AI is used more actively in countries with lower levels of healthcare satisfaction: 74% of residents in Romania and Serbia use it, while this figure is 71% in Kazakhstan. In Uzbekistan, the adoption of AI occurs against a backdrop of high trust in the healthcare system, so the technology is viewed more as an additional source of information and support rather than a compensation for shortcomings in medicine.
Uzbek residents are more cautious than the survey average regarding replacing a doctor's visit with AI advice. About 45% are willing to consider such an option, compared to 58% on average. Of these, 16% would agree to use AI only as a second opinion, 13% only for specific questions, 9% provided subsequent verification of recommendations by a medical professional, and only 8% are ready to do so without additional conditions. Half of the country's residents are not yet ready to replace a doctor's consultation with an AI consultation. Furthermore, 39% of respondents rely exclusively on doctors and other medical professionals, which is the highest figure among all countries in the survey. For comparison, this figure is 36% in Ireland and 35% in Belgium.
A similar pattern is observed regarding diagnoses. About 46% of Uzbekistan residents are willing to trust an AI-generated diagnosis to some extent, compared to 49% on average. Of these people, 22% would trust such a diagnosis if the system were certified by authorized health authorities, 17% if the diagnosis were explained clearly and understandably, and 8% already trust AI as much as a doctor. At the same time, 47% stated they would never trust an AI diagnosis equally to a specialist's diagnosis, and another 6% could not answer.
When creating an individual treatment plan, 30% of residents would prefer AI to assist the doctor, leaving the final review and adjustment to the specialist. On average, 44% of participants chose this model. About 37% of Uzbekistan residents trust only decisions made by people, compared to the average of 24%. Only 12% are willing to fully entrust the creation of a treatment plan to AI, compared to 6% on average, while 13% consider standard treatment protocols safer.
Concerns related to AI in healthcare in Uzbekistan are less pronounced than the survey average. The risk of errors and incorrect diagnoses worries 34% of residents, compared to the average of 54%; the reduction of personal interaction in healthcare concerns 26% versus 38%; the use of medical data without human knowledge causes concern for 18% versus 41%; and concerns about algorithmic bias are felt by 9% versus 32%. Additionally, 25% are concerned about increasing human dependence on technology, 21% about the decline in doctors' qualifications, and 13% each about the excessive role of AI in decision-making and the deterioration of communication between patients and medical staff. 16% of residents have no concerns.
Medical data protection remains the most sensitive issue for Uzbekistan residents. About 33% of respondents are willing to give AI full access to their medical history, compared to 43% across the survey. Of these, 15% agree only with strict access restrictions, 12% without additional conditions, and 6% if the system does not belong to a private company. Another 18% would first like to better understand how their data will be stored and used. Since there is a fear that information might fall into the wrong hands, 50% of residents do not wish to grant AI access to their medical information, which is lower than the average of 27% across the survey.
At least one application of AI in healthcare is supported by 72% of Uzbekistan residents, which is higher than the average of 82%. The most acceptable scenario is consultations involving AI, which are supported by 31%. About 28% are willing to use AI for appointment scheduling and follow-up, and 18% support its use for recording during consultations, monitoring chronic diseases, and preparing discharge documents. A total of 28% of respondents disapprove of AI's involvement in healthcare.
Residents primarily expect practical benefits from the further implementation of AI. 25% expect faster diagnosis, 24% expect improved access to healthcare, including rural and remote areas, 17% expect more equal access to quality care, and 16% expect more accurate forecasts. Another 15% expect AI to help doctors obtain up-to-date medical knowledge faster and reduce treatment costs, while 12% count on a reduction in medical errors. Another 29% currently have no specific expectations regarding AI.
At the same time, Uzbekistan residents believe that the role of medical professionals will only grow. 38% believe that specialists will become even more important due to personal interaction and human trust, compared to 30% on average in the survey. Another 29% expect an increase in the number of digital and remote consultations, and 25% believe that doctors and pharmacists will increasingly act as consultants and interpreters of AI recommendations. 21% expect a decrease in the role of medical professionals due to AI, while another 11% foresee no serious changes.
One of the most noticeable discrepancies identified by the study is the issue of prevention. 57% of Uzbekistan residents positively assess the support of the healthcare system in preventive care, which is higher than the average of 46%. However, only 16% of respondents undergo all available preventive examinations, 36% undergo some of them, and 48% undergo none. On average in the survey, the corresponding figures are 18%, 49%, and 33%. Participation in screenings in Uzbekistan has noticeably decreased in recent years: the share of those undergoing all examinations fell from 38% in 2023 to 31% in 2025 and 16% in 2026, while the share of those undergoing no examinations increased from 25% to 39% and 48%.
The structure of problems that Uzbekistan residents consider most important also differs from the general picture. While shortage of medical personnel and long waiting times rank first on average in the survey, only 35% of respondents in Uzbekistan name this a serious problem, compared to 67% mentioned. Residents of the country consider environmental and climate factors—environmental pollution, climate change, and associated health risks—as the main issue. This factor was named by 52% of respondents. Obesity and unhealthy lifestyle ranked second with a figure of 44%. Healthcare accessibility worries 21% of residents, compared to the average of 43%; population aging and the spread of chronic diseases worry 25% versus 56%; and the growing number of people with mental health problems worries 29% versus 53%.
The study reveals a combination of high satisfaction and high demand in digitalization. 52% of Uzbekistan residents believe that the healthcare system adequately meets their need for digital tools, including telemedicine and health apps, compared to the average of 28%. At the same time, the same 52% identify insufficient development of digital infrastructure as a serious problem, which is the highest figure among all surveyed countries. This figure is 45% in France, 44% in Switzerland, and 40% in the UK. The report authors argue that these figures do not contradict each other: existing digital services are highly rated, but the population expects their further development.
When asked what they would do first if they became Minister of Health, 59% of Uzbekistan residents chose to improve healthcare in rural and underserved areas. About 36% would increase access to primary healthcare, and 35% would reduce waiting times and increase the number of medical specialists. Improving medical and social care for the elderly was cited by 33%, promoting a healthy lifestyle and combating obesity by 31%, and improving working conditions for medical staff by 27%.
Amid the flow of medical information, Uzbekistan residents feel more confident than the survey average. About 40% believe they can confidently find and understand the necessary health information, compared to the average of 22%. Of these, 16% feel very confident, and another 24% feel quite confident in their abilities. Information overload is felt by 37% of Uzbekistan residents, which is lower than the average of 46%.