ISLAMABAD (APP – Urdu Point / Pakistan Point News – 29th Mar, 2026) Economic activity has strengthened across Uzbekistan over the past five years, with more areas showing signs of urban-style development, according to a new analysis by the Center for Economic Research and Reforms (CERR) using satellite-based nighttime lighting data.
The study, which relies on nighttime illumination captured by satellites, found a strong relationship between light intensity and economic performance, indicating expanded infrastructure and increased productivity in brighter areas, a statement issued here on Sunday said.
CERR said its satellite-based estimates closely matched official figures. Data from NASA’s Night Lights show that Uzbekistan’s nominal GDP per capita rose 80.3% between 2020 and 2025, from $2,090 to $3,887, reflecting an average annual growth rate of 15.8%. Official statistics indicate a similar increase of 81.8%, with per capita GDP rising from $2,048 to $3,881 during the same period.
According to the data, urban centers are leading the growth, and the highest growth in GDP per capita was recorded in the capital, Tashkent, where the figure rose by about $5,000 to reach about $9,300 by the end of 2025. Other cities also registered strong performances. In Navoi, the per capita GDP reached $9,300, while Zaravshan recorded $7,900, and in Samarkand it was $7,200. Kokand and Andijan each reached $6,700, and prices for cities including Akhanegran, Yangyul and Bukhara ranged between $5,200 and $5,800.
Regional gains were also notable. Per capita GDP rose by about $1,800 in both the Tashkent and Navoi regions, reaching about $4,000. In the Fergana and Syrdarya regions, the index rose by about $1,600 to $3,500 and $3,400, respectively.
The data showed that smaller cities indicated momentum, and small and medium-sized cities also showed strong economic activity.
The per capita income in Termez reached $5,100, while the per capita income in Margilan and Chirchik reached $5,000. Namangan recorded $4,800, with relatively strong performance also observed in Kagan and Urgench.
Regional growth is accelerating, and regionally, the fastest growth was seen in Mirabad, where GDP per capita increased by $7,100. It was followed by Yakasaray and Chilanzar districts, with gains of $6,300 and $5,600, respectively. GDP per capita in these regions now exceeds $10,000 – nearly three times the national region average.
Other regions that showed rapid expansion included Kermana, which saw a 2.5-fold increase, and Yashnabad and Bektmir, which each increased 2.4-fold. Sergeli, Yanji Hiut and Mirzo Ulugbek districts recorded a growth of about 2.3 times.
According to the data, urbanization has expanded, and satellite data has also highlighted the acceleration of urbanization. The number of areas with high light intensity at night – indicative of urban agglomerations – rose from 22 in 2020 to 31 in 2025. Average GDP per capita in these areas rose from $3,800 to $7,000.
At the same time, the number of regions with low light intensity decreased from 129 to 85, indicating that 44 regions have shifted towards more urbanized economic structures. In these areas, light intensity more than doubled, while per capita GDP increased from $1,700 to $3,200.
CERR said the results demonstrate that satellite-based night-light data can serve as a reliable complement to official statistics, providing timely insights into regional economic trends.
The report concluded that this approach could help policymakers identify emerging growth centers and better target infrastructure investment and state support across the country.