Global Index Confirms Openness of the Uzbek Market
Economy
Uzbekistan has crossed a significant psychological and economic threshold, ascending to the "moderately free" category for the first time in its history. The 2026 Index of Economic Freedom confirms that market-opening reforms are delivering real outcomes, manifested in billions of dollars of new investment.
According to the latest report by The Heritage Foundation, Uzbekistan ranked 86th globally with a score of 60.3 points. This is not only 2.3 points higher than last year's result but also places the country above the global average (59.9 points) for the first time.
The country demonstrated its most impressive performance in terms of trade and investment openness:
Trade Freedom: 80.6 points.
Investment Freedom: 70.0 points.
These indicators significantly exceed global averages, establishing Uzbekistan as one of the most promising hubs for international business in Central Asia.
The rise in the rankings is backed by fundamental data. Over the past two years, the country's foreign trade turnover surged from $63.5 billion to $81.2 billion. Meanwhile, exports grew by nearly $10 billion, reaching $33.8 billion. Notably, the volume of foreign investment and loans into fixed assets more than doubled, reaching a staggering 422.1 trillion soums.
Operational data for early 2026 confirms the sustainability of this trend: in January–February alone, foreign trade turnover increased by an additional 7.1% compared to the same period last year, reaching $11.6 billion.
The country demonstrated its most impressive performance in terms of trade and investment openness:
Trade Freedom: 80.6 points.
Investment Freedom: 70.0 points.
These indicators significantly exceed global averages, establishing Uzbekistan as one of the most promising hubs for international business in Central Asia.
The rise in the rankings is backed by fundamental data. Over the past two years, the country's foreign trade turnover surged from $63.5 billion to $81.2 billion. Meanwhile, exports grew by nearly $10 billion, reaching $33.8 billion. Notably, the volume of foreign investment and loans into fixed assets more than doubled, reaching a staggering 422.1 trillion soums.
Operational data for early 2026 confirms the sustainability of this trend: in January–February alone, foreign trade turnover increased by an additional 7.1% compared to the same period last year, reaching $11.6 billion.
Powered by Froala Editor