Uzbekistan’s economy has kicked off 2026 on a high note. The latest forecasts from the Center for Economic Research and Reforms (CERR) indicate that the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to grow by 7–7.2% in the first quarter.
In recent years, Uzbekistan has accelerated its transition from a traditional agro-industrial model to a digital and service-based economy. While growth drivers were once dominated by commodities like cotton or gold, the early figures of 2026 demonstrate that “digital consumption” is emerging as the new leading force.
In this round of forecasting, CERR analysts did not limit themselves to the traditional 35 economic indicators. Instead, they employed a sophisticated Machine Learning (ML) model. By analyzing 250 weekly indicators across 20 categories within the Google search ecosystem, the data revealed that the economy is expanding even faster than anticipated. According to these ML-driven results, GDP growth for Q1 2026 is projected to reach approximately 7.2%.
Data from January shows that Uzbek citizens’ interest in internet and telecommunications services has surged by 19.3% compared to the same period last year.
This is far more than just “increased video streaming.” It signifies a massive migration of businesses to online platforms, a spike in demand for cloud technologies, and the expanding real-world footprint of digital infrastructure within the national economy. Furthermore, interest in the Financial sector rose by 7.9%, while E-commerce grew by 5.2%.
A growth corridor of 7.2% serves as a “green light” for Uzbekistan’s venture capital and IT markets. The nearly 20% surge in digital interest across telecom and fintech translates to a rapidly expanding market volume for new startups and SaaS products.
The first quarter of 2026 supposes to be a period of digital acceleration rather than mere stability for Uzbekistan. If this momentum is sustained, the country is on track to remain the most attractive investment destination in the region by year-end.
