Unobserved economy in Uzbekistan exceeds UZS 102 trillion in first quarter

The gross value added of the unobserved economy in Uzbekistan reached UZS 102.7 trillion during the first three months of 2026, according to the National Statistics Committee. This unobserved segment accounted for 22.9% of the country’s total gross domestic product (GDP) during the January–March period.

Photo: State Security Service

The statistics officials broke down the figures into two primary components: informal household production and the underground, or shadow, economy. Production and services managed by private households and individuals made up UZS 69.1 trillion, representing 15.4% of the national GDP. The shadow economy comprised the remaining UZS 33.6 trillion, or 7.5% of GDP.

Across different sectors of the economy, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries contained the largest share of unobserved and informal operations. Informal activities in these areas reached 81.1%. The service sector also registered a notable share of unobserved activity at 24.5%, followed closely by the construction sector at 23.9%, and the industrial sector at 6.7%.

The Statistics Committee noted that the unobserved economy encompasses legitimate household activities that fall outside traditional statistical reporting, alongside deliberately concealed business transactions.

During the same quarter, the overall volume of market services provided across Uzbekistan reached UZS 293.6 trillion. The capital city of Tashkent continues to dominate this commercial sector, accounting for nearly 40% of all registered market services in the country.