The key facts

  • Number of births: 926.4 thousand in 2024, minus 46.8 thousand (about 5.1%) in 2025
  • Liquefied gas supply is planned to be transferred to the private sector across the republic in 2027; a pilot project has started in Andijan region
  • Fines for early marriages have been raised; the tuition contract payment deadline in universities has been extended to November 1

Birth rate declines for the second year in a row

According to the National Statistics Committee, 926.4 thousand births were registered in Uzbekistan in 2024, and in 2025 the figure fell by another 46.8 thousand — about 5.1%. Long-term data show that the number of births first declined and then grew: in 1991, 723.4 thousand children were born, in 2000 — 527.6 thousand, and by 2015 — 734.1 thousand. In January–June 2026, 373.4 thousand births were registered; the publication notes that these are half-year figures and cannot be directly compared with the annual figures of previous years.

The monopoly on liquefied gas supply will be eliminated

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, at an open dialogue with investors in the fuel and energy sector, said that in 2027 the supply of liquefied gas is planned to be transferred to the private sector across the entire republic. Currently, 3 million 800 thousand households use this service, and the system, previously under a state monopoly, is being gradually moved to market mechanisms. A pilot project involving entrepreneurs has been launched in Andijan region. The President emphasized that the key criteria must be uninterrupted gas supply, safety, and the quality of service to the population.

Signs are no longer equated with advertising

The Competition Development Committee reported changes in legislation regarding the issue of signs, which had caused discontent among many entrepreneurs in Tashkent. According to a Cabinet of Ministers resolution of October 13, information about the name and type of activity of a business entity placed on the external side of a building or structure (at the entrance), including the company name and trademark or service mark, is no longer considered an object of outdoor advertising, and an advertising place passport is not required for it.

Tuition contract payment deadline in universities extended to November 1

The deadline for paying contracts and completing enrollment in universities for the 2026–2027 academic year has been extended to November 1. By this date, at least 25% of the annual cost of the basic contract and at least 50% of the differentiated contract must be paid. The extension applies to applicants recommended for enrollment in bachelor's and master's programs, as well as students who have been transferred, reinstated, or re-enrolled.

Fines for early marriages increased

A law signed by Shavkat Mirziyoyev on October 14 introduced amendments to Article 47.3 of the Administrative Liability Code. Entering into an actual marital relationship with a person who has not reached marriageable age is now punishable by a fine of 15 to 15 times the BMR — from 4.4 million to 6.6 million soums (previously the maximum was 10 times the amount). For marrying off minors, the fine has been raised from 15 times to a range of 20–25 times the BMR — from 8.8 million to 11 million soums. For conducting a religious ceremony (Sharia marriage) without registration with civil registry offices, including between persons under 18, a fine of 30–50 times the BMR is provided — from 13.2 million to 22 million soums (previously the fine did not exceed 30 times the amount).

Tashkent investigates complaints about the smell of hot water

Veolia Energy Tashkent reported receiving complaints from residents of five districts of Tashkent about the quality of hot water. According to the company, network water is supplied to these districts by an external supplier — JSC Tashkent Thermal Power Plant — while Veolia Energy Tashkent is responsible for delivering thermal energy and hot water to the basement sections of residential buildings. After the complaints, specialists from the company's accredited laboratory took samples from water sources and apartments; they will undergo chemical-bacteriological and organoleptic analyses. The results of the inspection will be announced after it is completed.