Hundreds of students from Uzbekistan chose Russia as their study destination in early 2026, even as overall outbound education numbers declined.

Some 3,964 Uzbek citizens went abroad for education in the first two months of the year - a noticeable drop compared to the same period last year, when the figure was higher by around 1,200 students, The Caspian Post reports via Uzbek media.

Despite the decline, Russia continues to lead as the most popular destination, attracting 989 Uzbek students. Its long-standing academic ties and accessibility keep it at the top of the list.

Second place goes to South Korea with 679 students, reflecting a growing interest among Uzbek youth in Asian education systems and opportunities.

Kyrgyzstan ranks third with 639 students, benefiting from its geographic proximity and familiar environment for Uzbek nationals.

Other popular choices include Türkiye (300 students), Tajikistan (276), and China (252).

Meanwhile, 829 students opted for other countries, signaling a gradual expansion in the geography of international education for Uzbekistan’s youth.