Uzbekistan Attracts Growing Number of Tajik Students

As of June 2025, Uzbekistan has become a significant destination for Tajik students, with 1,145 enrolled in universities across the country-making them the third-largest group of foreign students in Uzbekistan.

Overall, Uzbekistan hosts over 9,500 international students, reflecting a 17.3 per cent increase compared to the previous year, The Caspian Post reports per Tajik media.

The largest foreign student communities hail from India (2,780 students) and Turkmenistan (2,622), with notable numbers also coming from China, South Korea, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, the US, Afghanistan, and Türkiye.

According to Tajikistan’s Ministry of Education and Science, at the beginning of the 2024/2025 academic year, some 41,200 Tajik students were studying abroad. These students are spread across dozens of countries, but the majority are concentrated in five key destinations.

Russia remains the most popular choice, hosting 33,178 Tajik students-more than 80 per cent of the total-thanks to the widespread use of Russian language, deep-rooted historical and cultural ties, and existing bilateral agreements and educational quotas.

China is the second largest host, with approximately 2,900 Tajik students. The country’s expanding cooperation with Central Asia, including initiatives within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), offers studies in both Chinese and English, scholarships, and a focus on engineering and technical disciplines.

Kazakhstan also remains a favored destination, currently educating around 970 Tajik students. Türkiye hosts roughly 900, attracted by affordable education, scholarship programs, strong interest in humanities, and shared religious and cultural connections.

The remaining 3,252 Tajik students are enrolled in countries such as India, Germany, the US, South Korea, and others, benefiting from diverse educational programs and scholarship opportunities tailored for international students.