The independence of Uzbekistan After 1991 year u z

Economy

• (Note: Government of Uzbekistan statistics are not consistently reliable. This report relies on unofficial estimates and states clearly when a figure is an estimate. Estimates by international financial institutions also use Government of Uzbekistan statistics.)
• GDP: 2009 real GDP growth was 8.1%, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) based on Government of Uzbekistan statistics. Actual GDP growth was likely lower.
• Inflation: The IMF estimated that consumer price inflation reached 14.1% in 2009, though actual inflation was likely higher, between 18%-21%.
• Per capita GDP: Estimated per capita GDP in 2009 was $1,121; GDP per capita on a purchasing power parity basis was $2,800.
• Natural resources: Natural gas, petroleum, gold, coal, uranium, silver, copper, lead, zinc, tungsten, molybdenum. Natural gas production in 2009 was 61.4 billion cubic meters (bcm); oil production was 4.4 million tons.
• Agriculture: Products--cotton, fourth-largest producer worldwide; vegetables, fruits, grain, livestock.
• Industry: Types--textiles, food processing, machine building, metallurgy, natural gas, automobiles, chemical. The industrial production growth rate was estimated at 23.6% in 2009; electricity production was 50.1 billion kilowatt hours.
• Budget (2009 estimates): Revenues--$12.1 billion (IMF Regional Economic Outlook, May 2010); expenditure and net lending--$11.2 billion.
• Trade: Exports (2009)--largest contribution from natural gas, ferrous metals, cotton fiber, food products, automobiles. Major trade partners (2009)--Russia 21%, China 9.7%, Switzerland 7.9%, Ukraine 7.2%, Kazakhstan 6.2%. Imports (2009)--largest imports were machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals, foodstuffs. Primary export partner (2009 est.)--CIS 34%. Primary import partner (2009 est.)--CIS 44%.
• External debt (total gross, 2009 est.): $4.33 billion

Uzbekistan is Central Asia's most populous country. Its 28 million people, concentrated in the south and east of the country, are nearly half the region's total population. Uzbekistan had been one of the least developed republics of the Soviet Union; much of its population was engaged in cotton farming in small rural communities. The population continues to be heavily rural and dependent on farming for its livelihood. Uzbek is the predominant ethnic group. Other ethnic groups include Russian 5.5%, Tajik 5%, Kazakh 3%, Karakalpak 2.5%, and Tatar 1.5%. The nation is approximately 90% Sunni Muslim. Uzbek is the official state language; however, Russian is the de facto language for interethnic communication, including much day-to-day government and business use.

• Uzbekistan is Central Asia's most populous country. Its 28 million people, concentrated in the south and east of the country, are nearly half the region's total population. Uzbekistan had been one of the least developed republics of the Soviet Union; much of its population was engaged in cotton farming in small rural communities. The population continues to be heavily rural and dependent on farming for its livelihood. Uzbek is the predominant ethnic group. Other ethnic groups include Russian 5.5%, Tajik 5%, Kazakh 3%, Karakalpak 2.5%, and Tatar 1.5%. The nation is approximately 90% Sunni Muslim. Uzbek is the official state language; however, Russian is the de facto language for interethnic communication, including much day-to-day government and business use.

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