In 2050, Uzbekistan will be a leader in urbanization

According to Ranking analyses based on data from the United Nations (UN), by 2050 Uzbekistan is expected to take the leading position in urbanization in Central Asia. This was reported by Zamin.uz.

Forecasts indicate that in that year, 54.6 percent of the country's population will live in large cities. In Kazakhstan, this figure is expected to be 51 percent.

Additionally, by 2050 the rural population share in Uzbekistan is expected to drop to the lowest level in the region — 8.7 percent. On the other hand, in Kazakhstan the rural population share will reach 18.7 percent, the highest in Central Asia.

According to 2025 results, the population distribution in Central Asia was as follows: 41.1 percent lived in large cities, 41.6 percent in small and medium-sized cities, and 17.3 percent in rural areas. That year, Kazakhstan led in urbanization: 45.3 percent of the population lived in large cities, 32.2 percent in small and medium-sized cities, and 22.4 percent in rural areas.

Uzbekistan ranked second in the region in terms of urbanization level in 2025. 43.8 percent of the population lived in large cities, and 43.4 percent in small and medium-sized cities.

The rural population share was 12.8 percent, the lowest in Central Asia. Source: Ranking analyses.