Small Businesses Generate Half of Uzbekistan's GDP in H1 2026

Small businesses in Uzbekistan generated 50.5% of the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the first half of 2026, amounting to 518.7 trillion soums, according to a report from the National Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Statistics.

As of July 1, 2026, Uzbekistan was home to 1,236,100 small business entities. This figure includes 526,700 small enterprises and micro-firms (which encompass commercial farms and smallholders), 375,100 individual entrepreneurs, 334,400 smallholder farms, 23,200 artisans, 5,100 family businesses, and 1,100 sellers of imported goods. This translates to 32.2 entities per 1,000 residents, with the highest concentrations observed in Tashkent (50.4), Khorezm Region (46.3), Syrdarya Region (41.1), and Navoi Region (38.1).

Over the six-month period, 44,000 new small enterprises and micro-firms were established, excluding commercial farms and smallholders. The trade sector saw the most new businesses, with 15,657 openings, followed by industry (5,450), agriculture, forestry, and fisheries (5,368), and accommodation and food services (4,115).

**Small Business Dominates Agriculture and Construction**

Small businesses are the primary drivers in several key sectors. They contributed 95.4% of the output in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, valued at 257.1 trillion soums, marking a 4.2% increase. In the construction sector, small businesses accounted for 76.9% of activity (143.9 trillion soums, up 12.9%), while in the services sector, their share was 76.6% (374.2 trillion soums, up 15.8%). They also represented 58.2% of the transport, storage, information, and communications sector.

In the industrial sector, small business entities produced 180.3 trillion soums worth of output, making up 28.3% of the country's total industrial output, an 8.2% increase year-over-year.

Small businesses also largely control retail trade, with their share of trade turnover reaching 80.3% (202.1 trillion soums, an 18% increase). Capital investments by small business entities grew by 22.4% to 225.3 trillion soums, representing 66.5% of all investments nationwide.

**Small Enterprises Contribute Nearly Half of Foreign Trade**

During the first six months of the year, small business entities exported products totaling US$7.48 billion, which is 47.2% of Uzbekistan's total exports. Their imports reached US$13 billion, accounting for 51.8% of total imports, indicating that over half of the goods and services brought into Uzbekistan are handled by small businesses.

In road transport, small enterprises are responsible for the majority of passenger movement, handling 90.9% of passenger volume and 95.2% of passenger turnover. For freight transport, the share of small business is lower, at 57.1% by cargo volume and 77.6% by freight turnover, though these figures have shown consistent growth for three consecutive years.