Dormitory shortage affects over 114,000 students in Uzbekistan

According to a government decision adopted four years ago, 241 student dormitories were to be built on the basis of public–private partnership (PPP) by the end of 2025. However, only 73 have been completed in the past three years, Doniyor Yusupov, head of the PPP Development Department at the Ministry of Higher Education, told Kun.uz. He cited delays in obtaining construction permits, PPP regulations, and other factors as reasons for the lag.

Under Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 563 of September 2021, measures were set to increase accommodation coverage for university students. Specifically, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation was tasked with building 241 dormitories through PPP projects by the end of 2025.

Kun.uz reviewed the progress at the start of the new academic year and spoke with Doniyor Yusupov about the current state of implementation.

Only 73 of 241 planned dormitories completed

Official estimates show that Uzbekistan has 1.5 million university students, including more than 540,000 enrolled in full-time programs. Around 270,000 of them are in need of accommodation.

As of 1 September 2025, state universities had 385 dormitories with capacity for over 155,800 students. This leaves a shortage of places for 114,200 students who require housing.

Yusupov said that under the 2022–2025 program, 170 dormitories with 74,100 places have so far been built and put into use, while 58 more projects with 34,500 places are under development. Of these, 21,500 places are currently under construction. Not all 170 dormitories were newly built – some were reconstructed or renovated.

“Over the past three years, 73 new dormitories with 38,600 places have been built fully on a PPP basis. In addition, universities have financed dormitory construction from their own extra-budgetary funds, as well as through state investment programs. There are quite a few of them too,” the official noted.

According to the government’s resolution, 37 dormitories were to be built in 2022, 59 in 2023, 72 in 2024, and 73 in 2025. Yet based on Yusupov’s account, only about 30 percent of the target has been met.

Why are the projects delayed?

Yusupov explained that one of the main reasons is the lengthy permit process.

“Construction takes a lot of time. Every project must undergo an environmental review under new legislation. Even the presence of a small tree requires a relocation plan. Underground communication lines may also be discovered during construction – electricity, sewage, or others. These take time to resolve, and each agency has its own deadlines,” he said.

He added that in PPP projects, the law requires tenders to remain open for 45 days, which also prolongs the timeline.

On average, building a 400-bed dormitory takes 7–8 months, while dormitories with 1,000 or more places require 1.5–2 years.

“This is a global issue. No country provides 100 percent dormitory coverage, not even developed ones. Our president has introduced housing allowances for students without dormitory places, so we cannot say they are left without support. Today, every student legally renting housing in Tashkent receives a state compensation of 412,000 UZS – equal to one base calculation unit,” Yusupov said.

He added that in Fergana region, a private dormitory owner recently appealed to the ministry because his facility was not fully occupied.

“We even received a letter today from a Fergana entrepreneur, saying: ‘My dormitory is not full, please help fill it with students.’ This shows that dormitory construction has significantly increased compared to before – we must acknowledge that,” he said.

Yusupov clarified that the shortage of students has so far only been reported in one case – the dormitory in Fergana region. No such issue has been observed elsewhere.