The number of business entities operating in Uzbekistan reached 456,700 as of September 1, 2026, an increase of approximately 57,000 compared with the same period last year, according to the Statistics Committee. As of September 1, 2025, the country had 399,600 active enterprises. The latest figures indicate an increase of approximately 14.3% over the year.
According to the regional breakdown, Tashkent city recorded the highest number of operating enterprises, with 108,400 business entities. Tashkent region ranked second with 45,700 enterprises, followed by Samarkand region with 39,000 and Fergana region with 34,900. The lowest number of enterprises was recorded in Syrdarya region, where 11,640 business entities were operating as of September 1.
By economic sector, trade accounted for the largest number of enterprises in Uzbekistan, with approximately 168,000 business entities operating in the sector. The industrial sector had 65,200 enterprises, while 34,800 businesses operated in accommodation and food services. Another 33,600 enterprises were engaged in construction. The figures indicate that trade represented the largest share among the reported sectors.
Between January and August 2026, a total of 60,200 new enterprises were established across Uzbekistan. Of these, 10,600 enterprises, representing 17.5% of the total, had begun generating revenue from the sale of products, goods, works and services. As of September 1, 2026, Uzbekistan had 21,500 active enterprises with foreign investment.
This represented an increase of 4,540 enterprises, or 26.8%, compared with the corresponding period in 2025. Of the total, approximately 4,760 enterprises, accounting for 22.1%, operated as joint ventures. The remaining 16,700 enterprises, or 77.9%, were wholly foreign-owned.
Chinese-owned enterprises accounted for the largest share of foreign-invested businesses in Uzbekistan, with more than 6,400 companies, representing 29.9% of the total. Russia accounted for 16.7% of foreign-invested enterprises, followed by Turkey at 11.0% and Kazakhstan at 6.3%. South Korea and Afghanistan each accounted for 3.4% of the total.
Previously, it was reported that 89% of individuals and entrepreneurs in Uzbekistan pay their taxes voluntarily.