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Updated: March 2009

Uzbekistan

Overview | World Vision's history in Uzbekistan | World Vision in Uzbekistan today

Overview

Uzbekistan, a landlocked country in central Asia, is bordered by Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. The west and central regions of the country consist of flat to rolling desert, while the east features the foothills of the Tian Shan Mountains and the fertile Fergana Valley. Uzbekistan has long, hot summers and short, cold winters. The desert areas are rich in natural gas, petroleum, and gold, whereas the rest of the country’s natural resources include cotton, coal, uranium, silver, copper, and lead.

Uzbeks comprise 80 percent of the population, followed by Russians, Tajiks, Kazakhs, Tatars, and a small number of Koreans and Armenians. Russian was the official language until the early 1990s, and it is still used in business and government communication. Today, Uzbek is the country’s only official language, spoken by 75 percent of the population. The Tajik language is also spoken.

The Uzbeks invaded present-day Uzbekistan in the early 16th century and established city-states with the other inhabitants in the area. These city-states were conquered by the Russian Empire in the mid-1800s. The territory came under Soviet rule in 1925 as the Uzbekistan Soviet Socialist Republic. The country joined other former Soviet republics in December 1991 in declaring independence. Ten years later, Uzbekistan provided the U.S. and UK with a base to fight Taliban and al-Qaeda forces. In July 2005, however, President Karimov ordered the base closed after the U.S. called for an inquiry into human rights violations.

Uzbekistan map


Uzbekistan flag 

Country statistics 
Population27 million
Land mass172,741 square miles
People per square mile156
Life expectancy71.7 years
Under age 5 mortality rate43/1,000
Literacy rate99.3%
Access to safe water82%
Average annual incomeUS$610
Religion
Muslim88%
Christian9%
Other3%
Uzbekistan adopted a gradual approach to economic transition following independence in 1991 that has resulted in steady economic growth. However, the country’s landlocked position and long distance to major markets impose constraints on further economic development. Despite stable financial growth in recent years, more than 25 percent of Uzbekistan’s population still lives at or below the poverty line and income inequality is rising.

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World Vision’s history in Uzbekistan

World Vision’s work in Uzbekistan began during the fall of 2001 after an extensive assessment of the country’s challenges in several areas, including health care, HIV and AIDS prevention, education, water management, and agriculture. Once community development programs were established, World Vision staff members began focusing on developing a working network with government institutions.

In recent years, several community-based projects have been implemented in the capital city, Tashkent, and in surrounding rural areas.

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World Vision in Uzbekistan today

World Vision is committed to partnering with the people of Uzbekistan to enhance their lives today and to help enact sustainable solutions for the future of their communities, families, and children. World Vision operates 11 community development programs, most of which are supported by donors in Germany, Australia, and Japan. Activities include assistance for children living on the street, emergency preparedness, health care for people with disabilities, and HIV and AIDS prevention. World Vision United States does not currently fund any programs in Uzbekistan.

For more information on World Vision’s work in Uzbekistan, please contact the United States office.

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