Uzbekistan’s economy is projected to expand by 7.9% in 2026, the highest growth rate among countries in the Europe and Central Asia region, according to the World Bank’s report “Making AI Work: Jobs, Firms, and Productivity.”

The World Bank forecasts GDP growth across Central Asia at 5.8% in 2026, compared with an average of 2.2% for the broader Europe and Central Asia region. Uzbekistan’s growth is expected to moderate to 7.5% in 2027 and 7.1% in 2028, after reaching 7.7% in 2025, The Caspian Post reports, citing UzDaily.

Remittances continue to play an important role in supporting domestic consumption. Russia accounts for about 70% of remittances sent to Uzbekistan, with inflows reaching a record $9.2 billion in the first half of 2026, an increase of 13%.

Uzbekistan is also continuing to attract substantial foreign direct investment (FDI), supported by major projects in the energy, digital infrastructure and industrial sectors.

Foreign-financed investment, including FDI and loans, represents more than 70% of total investment in the country. Lending to non-financial organizations across Central Asia increased by more than 12% in real terms.

Uzbekistan’s budget deficit is expected to stand at 2.2% of GDP in 2026, almost unchanged from the previous year. Higher social and investment spending is being offset by lower energy subsidies, reduced directed lending to state-owned enterprises and increased revenues.

The report also notes that Uzbekistan processes construction permits in less than two weeks, while connecting to the electricity grid takes around two weeks. Both indicators are considered among the region’s best practices.

A separate section examines the adoption of artificial intelligence in Uzbekistan’s labor market.

Data from the March 2026 Listening to Uzbekistan survey shows that clerical workers face the greatest exposure to AI-driven automation, with around 80% recording medium or high levels of exposure.

However, actual workplace use of AI is most widespread among professionals, at 48%, and managers, at 43%. Among clerical workers, the rate is 27%, despite their high exposure to automation.