2011 Edition

Background

Russia conquered the territory of present-day Uzbekistan in the late 19th century. Stiff resistance to the Red Army after the Bolshevik Revolution was eventually suppressed and a socialist republic established in 1924. During the Soviet era, intensive production of "white gold" (cotton) and grain led to overuse of agrochemicals and the depletion of water supplies, which have left the land poisoned and the Aral Sea and certain rivers half dry. Independent since 1991, the country seeks to gradually lessen its dependence on agriculture while developing its mineral and petroleum reserves. Current concerns include terrorism by Islamic militants, economic stagnation, and the curtailment of human rights and democratization.

Area

447,400 sq km 425,400 sq km 22,000 sq km

total

447,400 sq km

water

22,000 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than California

Climate

mostly midlatitude desert, long, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid grassland in east

Coastline

0 km (doubly landlocked); note - Uzbekistan includes the southern portion of the Aral Sea with a 420 km shoreline

Elevation extremes

Sariqamish Kuli -12 m Adelunga Toghi 4,301 m

highest point

Adelunga Toghi 4,301 m

lowest point

Sariqamish Kuli -12 m

Environment - current issues

shrinkage of the Aral Sea is resulting in growing concentrations of chemical pesticides and natural salts; these substances are then blown from the increasingly exposed lake bed and contribute to desertification; water pollution from industrial wastes and the heavy use of fertilizers and pesticides is the cause of many human health disorders; increasing soil salination; soil contamination from buried nuclear processing and agricultural chemicals, including DDT

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

58.34 cu km/yr (5%/2%/93%) 2,194 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

2,194 cu m/yr (2000)

total

58.34 cu km/yr (5%/2%/93%)

Geographic coordinates

41 00 N, 64 00 E

Geography - note

along with Liechtenstein, one of the only two doubly landlocked countries in the world

Irrigated land

42,230 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries

6,221 km Afghanistan 137 km, Kazakhstan 2,203 km, Kyrgyzstan 1,099 km, Tajikistan 1,161 km, Turkmenistan 1,621 km

border countries

Afghanistan 137 km, Kazakhstan 2,203 km, Kyrgyzstan 1,099 km, Tajikistan 1,161 km, Turkmenistan 1,621 km

total

6,221 km

Land use

10.51% 0.76% 88.73% (2005)

arable land

10.51%

other

88.73% (2005)

permanent crops

0.76%

Location

Central Asia, north of Turkmenistan, south of Kazakhstan

Map references

Asia

Maritime claims

none (doubly landlocked)

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

natural gas, petroleum, coal, gold, uranium, silver, copper, lead and zinc, tungsten, molybdenum

Terrain

mostly flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes; broad, flat intensely irrigated river valleys along course of Amu Darya, Syr Darya (Sirdaryo), and Zarafshon; Fergana Valley in east surrounded by mountainous Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan; shrinking Aral Sea in west

Total renewable water resources

72.2 cu km (2003)

Age structure

26.5% (male 3,817,755/female 3,635,142) 68.8% (male 9,620,356/female 9,742,818) 4.7% (male 560,574/female 751,955) (2011 est.)

0-14 years

26.5% (male 3,817,755/female 3,635,142)

15-64 years

68.8% (male 9,620,356/female 9,742,818)

65 years and over

4.7% (male 560,574/female 751,955) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

17.43 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

4.4% (2006)

Death rate

5.29 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 98% of population rural: 81% of population total: 87% of population urban: 2% of population rural: 19% of population total: 13% of population (2008)

rural

19% of population

total

13% of population (2008)

urban

2% of population

Education expenditures

NA

Ethnic groups

Uzbek 80%, Russian 5.5%, Tajik 5%, Kazakh 3%, Karakalpak 2.5%, Tatar 1.5%, other 2.5% (1996 est.)

Health expenditures

5.2% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 500 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

28,000 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

4.83 beds/1,000 population (2007)

Infant mortality rate

21.92 deaths/1,000 live births 25.95 deaths/1,000 live births 17.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

17.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

21.92 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Uzbek (official) 74.3%, Russian 14.2%, Tajik 4.4%, other 7.1%

Life expectancy at birth

72.51 years 69.48 years 75.71 years (2011 est.)

female

75.71 years (2011 est.)

total population

72.51 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 99.3% 99.6% 99% (2003 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

99% (2003 est.)

male

99.6%

total population

99.3%

Major cities - population

TASHKENT (capital) 2.201 million (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

30 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)

Median age

25.7 years 25.2 years 26.3 years (2011 est.)

female

26.3 years (2011 est.)

male

25.2 years

total

25.7 years

Nationality

Uzbekistani Uzbekistani

adjective

Uzbekistani

noun

Uzbekistani

Net migration rate

-2.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Physicians density

2.617 physicians/1,000 population (2007)

Population

28,128,600 (July 2011 est.)

Population growth rate

0.94% (2011 est.)

Religions

Muslim 88% (mostly Sunni), Eastern Orthodox 9%, other 3%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2008)

rural

100% of population

total

100% of population (2008)

urban

100% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

11 years 12 years 11 years (2009)

female

11 years (2009)

male

12 years

total

11 years

Sex ratio

1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.75 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.75 male(s)/female

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

0.99 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.05 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

1.89 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Urbanization

36% of total population (2010) 1.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

36% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

12 provinces (viloyatlar, singular - viloyat), 1 autonomous republic* (respublika), and 1 city** (shahar); Andijon Viloyati, Buxoro Viloyati, Farg'ona Viloyati, Jizzax Viloyati, Namangan Viloyati, Navoiy Viloyati, Qashqadaryo Viloyati (Qarshi), Qoraqalpog'iston Respublikasi [Karakalpakstan Republic]* (Nukus), Samarqand Viloyati, Sirdaryo Viloyati (Guliston), Surxondaryo Viloyati (Termiz), Toshkent Shahri [Tashkent City]**, Toshkent Viloyati [Tashkent province], Xorazm Viloyati (Urganch) administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)

Capital

Tashkent (Toshkent) 41 20 N, 69 18 E UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

41 20 N, 69 18 E

name

Tashkent (Toshkent)

time difference

UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

adopted 8 December 1992

Country name

Republic of Uzbekistan Uzbekistan Ozbekiston Respublikasi Ozbekiston Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic

conventional long form

Republic of Uzbekistan

conventional short form

Uzbekistan

former

Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic

local long form

Ozbekiston Respublikasi

local short form

Ozbekiston

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador George KROL 3 Moyqo'rq'on, 5th Block, Yunusobod District, Tashkent 100093 use embassy street address [998] (71) 120-5450 [998] (71) 120-6335

chief of mission

Ambassador George KROL

embassy

3 Moyqo'rq'on, 5th Block, Yunusobod District, Tashkent 100093

FAX

[998] (71) 120-6335

mailing address

use embassy street address

telephone

[998] (71) 120-5450

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Ilxamdjan NEMATOV 1746 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 887-5300 [1] (202) 293-6804 New York

chancery

1746 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

chief of mission

Ambassador Ilxamdjan NEMATOV

consulate(s) general

New York

FAX

[1] (202) 293-6804

telephone

[1] (202) 887-5300

Executive branch

President Islom KARIMOV (since 24 March 1990, when he was elected president by the then Supreme Soviet; elected president of independent Uzbekistan in 1991) Prime Minister Shavkat MIRZIYOYEV (since 11 December 2003); First Deputy Prime Minister Rustam AZIMOV (since 2 January 2008) Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president with approval of the Supreme Assembly president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term; previously was a five-year term, extended by constitutional amendment in 2002); election last held on 23 December 2007 (next to be held in 2014); prime minister, ministers, and deputy ministers appointed by the president Islom KARIMOV reelected president; percent of vote - Islom KARIMOV 88.1%, Asliddin RUSTAMOV 3.2%, Dilorom T0SHMUHAMEDOVA 2.9%, Akmal SAIDOV 2.6%, other 3.2%

cabinet

Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president with approval of the Supreme Assembly

chief of state

President Islom KARIMOV (since 24 March 1990, when he was elected president by the then Supreme Soviet; elected president of independent Uzbekistan in 1991)

election results

Islom KARIMOV reelected president; percent of vote - Islom KARIMOV 88.1%, Asliddin RUSTAMOV 3.2%, Dilorom T0SHMUHAMEDOVA 2.9%, Akmal SAIDOV 2.6%, other 3.2%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term; previously was a five-year term, extended by constitutional amendment in 2002); election last held on 23 December 2007 (next to be held in 2014); prime minister, ministers, and deputy ministers appointed by the president

head of government

Prime Minister Shavkat MIRZIYOYEV (since 11 December 2003); First Deputy Prime Minister Rustam AZIMOV (since 2 January 2008)

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and green separated by red fimbriations with a white crescent moon (closed side to the hoist) and 12 white stars shifted to the hoist on the top band; blue is the color of the Turkic peoples and of the sky, white signifies peace and the striving for purity in thoughts and deeds, while green represents nature and is the color of Islam; the red stripes are the vital force of all living organisms that links good and pure ideas with the eternal sky and with deeds on earth; the crescent represents Islam and the 12 stars the months and constellations of the Uzbek calendar

Government type

republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little power outside the executive branch

Independence

1 September 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ADB, CICA, CIS, CSTO, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (judges are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Supreme Assembly)

Legal system

civil law system

Legislative branch

bicameral Supreme Assembly or Oliy Majlis consists of an upper house or Senate (100 seats; 84 members elected by regional governing councils and 16 appointed by the president; members to serve five-year terms) and a lower house or Legislative Chamber (150 seats; 135 members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms, while 15 spots reserved for the new Ecological Movement of Uzbekistan) last held on 27 December 2009 and 10 January 2010 (next to be held in December 2014) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; Legislative Chamber - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LDPU 53, NDP 32, National Rebirth Party 31, Adolat 19 all parties in the Supreme Assembly support President KARIMOV

election results

Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; Legislative Chamber - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LDPU 53, NDP 32, National Rebirth Party 31, Adolat 19

elections

last held on 27 December 2009 and 10 January 2010 (next to be held in December 2014)

National anthem

"O'zbekiston Respublikasining Davlat Madhiyasi" (National Anthem of the Republic of Uzbekistan) Abdulla ARIPOV/Mutal BURHANOV adopted 1992; after the fall of the Soviet Union, Uzbekistan kept the music of the anthem from its time as a Soviet Republic but adopted new lyrics

lyrics/music

Abdulla ARIPOV/Mutal BURHANOV

name

"O'zbekiston Respublikasining Davlat Madhiyasi" (National Anthem of the Republic of Uzbekistan)

National holiday

Independence Day, 1 September (1991)

National symbol(s)

khumo (mythical bird)

Political parties and leaders

Adolat (Justice) Social Democratic Party [Ismoil SAIFNAZAROV]; Ecological Movement of Uzbekistan [Boriy ALIXONOV, chairman]; Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan or LDPU [Muhammadjon AHMADJONOV]; National Rebirth Party (Milliy Tiklanish) [Ahtam TURSUNOV]; People's Democratic Party or NDP (formerly Communist Party) [Latif GULOMOV]

Political pressure groups and leaders

there are no significant opposition political parties or pressure groups operating in Uzbekistan

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

cotton, vegetables, fruits, grain; livestock

Budget

$12.7 billion $12.57 billion (2010 est.)

expenditures

$12.57 billion (2010 est.)

revenues

$12.7 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

0.3% of GDP (2010 est.)

Current account balance

$5.843 billion (2010 est.) $3.58 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$4.221 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $4.109 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

36.8 (2003) 44.7 (1998)

Economy - overview

Uzbekistan is a dry, landlocked country; 11% of the land is intensely cultivated, in irrigated river valleys. More than 60% of the population lives in densely populated rural communities. Export of hydrocarbons, including natural gas and petroleum, provided about 40% of foreign exchange earnings in 2009. Other major export earners include gold and cotton. Uzbekistan is now the world's second-largest cotton exporter and fifth largest producer; it has come under increasing international criticism for the use of child labor in its annual cotton harvest. Nevertheless, Uzbekistan enjoyed a bumper cotton crop in 2010 amidst record high prices. Following independence in September 1991, the government sought to prop up its Soviet-style command economy with subsidies and tight controls on production and prices. While aware of the need to improve the investment climate, the government still sponsors measures that often increase, not decrease, its control over business decisions. A sharp increase in the inequality of income distribution has hurt the lower ranks of society since independence. In 2003, the government accepted Article VIII obligations under the IMF, providing for full currency convertibility. However, strict currency controls and tightening of borders have lessened the effects of convertibility and have also led to some shortages that have further stifled economic activity. The Central Bank often delays or restricts convertibility, especially for consumer goods. Potential investment by Russia and China in Uzbekistan's gas and oil industry, as well as increased cooperation with South Korea in the realm of civil aviation, may boost growth prospects. However, decreased demand for natural gas in Europe and Russia in the wake of the global financial crisis could reduce energy-related revenues in the near term. In November 2005, Russian President Vladimir PUTIN and Uzbekistan President KARIMOV signed an "alliance," which included provisions for economic and business cooperation. Russian businesses have shown increased interest in Uzbekistan, especially in mining, telecom, and oil and gas. In 2006, Uzbekistan took steps to rejoin the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the Eurasian Economic Community (EurASEC), which it subsequently left in 2008, both organizations dominated by Russia. In the past Uzbek authorities had accused US and other foreign companies operating in Uzbekistan of violating Uzbek tax laws and have frozen their assets, but no new expropriations occurred in 2008-09. Instead, the Uzbek Government has actively courted several major U.S. and international corporations, offering attractive financing and tax advantages, and has landed a significant US investment in the automotive industry. Although growth slowed in 2009-10, Uzbekistan has seen few other effects from the global economic downturn, primarily due to its relative isolation from the global financial markets.

Electricity - consumption

40.1 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - exports

11.52 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

11.44 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

47.42 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Exchange rates

Uzbekistani soum (UZS) per US dollar - 1,588.1 (2010) 1,466.7 (2009) 1,317 (2008) 1,263.8 (2007) 1,219.8 (2006)

Exports

$12.01 billion (2010 est.) $10.74 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

energy products, cotton, gold, mineral fertilizers, ferrous and nonferrous metals, textiles, food products, machinery, automobiles

Exports - partners

China 21.8%, Russia 18.1%, Turkey 14.5%, Kazakhstan 8.5%, Bangladesh 8.5% (2010)

GDP - composition by sector

22.3% 38.4% 39.3% (2010 est.)

agriculture

22.3%

industry

38.4%

services

39.3% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$3,100 (2010 est.) $2,900 (2009 est.) $2,700 (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

8.5% (2010 est.) 8.1% (2009 est.) 9% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$38.99 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$85.85 billion (2010 est.) $79.12 billion (2009 est.) $73.19 billion (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.8% 29.6% (2003)

highest 10%

29.6% (2003)

lowest 10%

2.8%

Imports

$8.06 billion (2010 est.) $9.023 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, ferrous and nonferrous metals

Imports - partners

Russia 25.4%, South Korea 17.3%, China 13.9%, Germany 8.3%, Kazakhstan 5.3%, Ukraine 4.2% (2010)

Industrial production growth rate

8% (2010 est.)

Industries

textiles, food processing, machine building, metallurgy, gold, petroleum, natural gas, chemicals

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

15% (2010 est.) 14.1% (2009 est.) official data; based on independent analysis of consumer prices, inflation reached 38% in 2008

Labor force

16 million (2010 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

44% 20% 36% (1995)

agriculture

44%

industry

20%

services

36% (1995)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA (31 December 2010) $715.3 million (#REF!)

Natural gas - consumption

46.21 billion cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - exports

15.2 billion cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - production

61.41 billion cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

1.841 trillion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Oil - consumption

144,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports

2,078 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

9,013 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - production

58,650 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

594 million bbl (1 January 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

26% (2008 est.)

Public debt

8% of GDP (2010 est.) 9.7% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$9.8 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $9 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$7.197 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $5.648 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA

Stock of domestic credit

$5.995 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $5.256 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$4.448 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $3.651 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

32.6% of GDP (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

1.1% (2010 est.) 1.1% (2009 est.) officially measured by the Ministry of Labor, plus another 20% underemployed

Broadcast media

government controls media; 8 state-owned broadcasters - 4 TV and 4 radio - provide service to virtually the entire country; about 20 privately-owned TV stations, overseen by local officials, broadcast to local markets; privately-owned TV stations are required to lease transmitters from the government-owned Republic TV and Radio Industry Corporation and are prohibited from broadcasting live; about 15 privately-owned radio broadcasters; programming content includes news updates, music, call-in talk shows, and other entertainment in a half-Russian, half-Uzbek format mandated for private radio (2007)

Internet country code

.uz

Internet hosts

47,718 (2010)

Internet users

4.689 million (2009)

Telephone system

digital exchanges in large cities but still antiquated and inadequate in rural areas the state-owned telecommunications company, Uzbektelecom, owner of the fixed line telecommunications system, has used loans from the Japanese government and the China Development Bank to upgrade fixed-line services including conversion to digital exchanges; mobile-cellular services are growing rapidly, with the subscriber base exceeding 16 million in 2009 country code - 998; linked by fiber-optic cable or microwave radio relay with CIS member states and to other countries by leased connection via the Moscow international gateway switch; after the completion of the Uzbek link to the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic cable, Uzbekistan plans to establish a fiber-optic connection to Afghanistan (2009)

domestic

the state-owned telecommunications company, Uzbektelecom, owner of the fixed line telecommunications system, has used loans from the Japanese government and the China Development Bank to upgrade fixed-line services including conversion to digital exchanges; mobile-cellular services are growing rapidly, with the subscriber base exceeding 16 million in 2009

general assessment

digital exchanges in large cities but still antiquated and inadequate in rural areas

international

country code - 998; linked by fiber-optic cable or microwave radio relay with CIS member states and to other countries by leased connection via the Moscow international gateway switch; after the completion of the Uzbek link to the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic cable, Uzbekistan plans to establish a fiber-optic connection to Afghanistan (2009)

Telephones - main lines in use

1.864 million (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

20.952 million (2009)

Airports

54 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

4 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

6

2,438 to 3,047 m

13

914 to 1,523 m

4

over 3,047 m

6

total

33

under 914 m

4 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

19 (2010)

2,438 to 3,047 m

2

total

21

under 914 m

19 (2010)

Pipelines

gas 10,253 km; oil 868 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Termiz (Amu Darya)

Railways

3,645 km 3,645 km 1.520-m gauge (620 km electrified) (2010)

total

3,645 km

Roadways

86,496 km 75,511 km 10,985 km (2000)

total

86,496 km

unpaved

10,985 km (2000)

Waterways

1,100 km (2009)

Manpower available for military service

7,887,292 7,886,459 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

7,886,459 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

7,887,292

Manpower fit for military service

6,566,118 6,745,818 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

6,745,818 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

6,566,118

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

306,404 295,456 (2010 est.)

female

295,456 (2010 est.)

male

306,404

Military branches

Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, National Guard

Military expenditures

3.5% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for compulsory military service; 1-year conscript service obligation; moving toward a professional military, but conscription will continue; the military cannot accommodate everyone who wishes to enlist, and competition for entrance into the military is similar to the competition for admission to universities (2009)

Disputes - international

prolonged drought and cotton monoculture in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan creates water-sharing difficulties for Amu Darya river states; field demarcation of the boundaries with Kazakhstan commenced in 2004; border delimitation of 130 km of border with Kyrgyzstan is hampered by serious disputes around enclaves and other areas

Illicit drugs

transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian and, to a lesser extent, Western European markets; limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and small amounts of opium poppy for domestic consumption; poppy cultivation almost wiped out by government crop eradication program; transit point for heroin precursor chemicals bound for Afghanistan

Refugees and internally displaced persons

39,202 (Tajikistan); 1,060 (Afghanistan) 3,400 (forced population transfers by government from villages near Tajikistan border) (2007)

IDPs

3,400 (forced population transfers by government from villages near Tajikistan border) (2007)

refugees (country of origin)

39,202 (Tajikistan); 1,060 (Afghanistan)

Trafficking in persons

Uzbekistan is a source country for women and girls trafficked to Kazakhstan, Russia, the Middle East, and Asia for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation; men are trafficked to Kazakhstan and Russia for purposes of forced labor in the construction, cotton, and tobacco industries; men and women are also trafficked internally for the purposes of domestic servitude, forced labor in the agricultural and construction industries, and for commercial sexual exploitation Tier 2 Watch List - Uzbekistan is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its negligible progress in ending forced labor, including forced child labor, in the annual cotton harvest, and did not make efforts to investigate or prosecute government officials suspected to be complicit in forced labor; the government did not conduct any awareness campaigns regarding forced labor in the annual cotton harvest or other internal trafficking, but did continue its previous awareness campaigns about the dangers of transnational trafficking (2011)

current situation

Uzbekistan is a source country for women and girls trafficked to Kazakhstan, Russia, the Middle East, and Asia for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation; men are trafficked to Kazakhstan and Russia for purposes of forced labor in the construction, cotton, and tobacco industries; men and women are also trafficked internally for the purposes of domestic servitude, forced labor in the agricultural and construction industries, and for commercial sexual exploitation

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List - Uzbekistan is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its negligible progress in ending forced labor, including forced child labor, in the annual cotton harvest, and did not make efforts to investigate or prosecute government officials suspected to be complicit in forced labor; the government did not conduct any awareness campaigns regarding forced labor in the annual cotton harvest or other internal trafficking, but did continue its previous awareness campaigns about the dangers of transnational trafficking (2011)