Uzbekistan's non-observed economy shrinks to 22.9% of GDP in first half of 2026
The share of Uzbekistan's non-observed economy declined to 22.9% of gross domestic product in the first half of 2026, down from 26.1% a year earlier, according to a report published by the National Statistics Committee.
Uzbekistan's non-observed economy constituted 22.9% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the first half of 2026, a reduction from previous figures.
From January to June, the nation's GDP reached UZS 1.072 quadrillion, marking an 8.5% real growth. Over this period, the gross value added from the non-observed economy totaled UZS 245.48 trillion.
The non-observed economy encompasses both household and individual production, as well as the shadow economy. The report indicates that the informal economy contributed UZS 165.47 trillion, or 15.4% of GDP, while the shadow economy was estimated at UZS 80.02 trillion, making up 7.5% of GDP. The overall composition of the non-observed economy showed no change when compared to the first quarter of 2026.
Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries continued to represent the largest portion of the non-observed economy at 60.5%. The services sector followed with 23%, with construction at 17.8% and industry at 6.7%.
A shift in the sectoral distribution was observed compared to the first quarter. The non-observed economy's share in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries decreased from 81.1% to 60.5%, and in construction, it fell from 23.9% to 17.8%. The services sector saw a decline from 24.5% to 23%, while industry's share held steady at 6.7%.
For the entirety of 2025, Uzbekistan's non-observed economy was estimated at UZS 498 trillion, equivalent to 26.9% of GDP, or $39.62 billion. Within this total, the informal economy accounted for UZS 351.04 trillion, or 19% of GDP, and the shadow economy was estimated at UZS 147 trillion, representing 7.9% of GDP.