The number of enterprises in Uzbekistan is sharply declining.

The number of enterprises operating in Uzbekistan continues to decline. This was noted by Kun.uz, which examined the data from the Statistical Agency.

As of February 1, 2025, the number of active enterprises and organizations reached 431.5 thousand. This represents a decrease of 10.7% compared to the previous year and a 24.6% drop compared to two years ago.

Out of the 431.5 thousand active enterprises and organizations, 367.3 thousand are business entities. Among them, 363.6 thousand are small enterprises and micro firms.

Over the past two years, the number of business entities has also been decreasing. The number of active business entities has decreased by 12.3% compared to last year and by 27.6% compared to two years ago.

By types of economic activities from February 1, 2023, to February 1, 2025:

- The number of enterprises engaged in industry decreased from 93,908 to 56,277, or by 40%;

- The number of enterprises engaged in construction fell from 45,541 to 27,908, or by 38.7%;

- The number of enterprises in agriculture, forestry, and fishing reduced from 51,051 to 31,297, or by 38.7%;

- The number of enterprises and organizations providing accommodation and food services declined from 35,065 to 26,639, or by 24%;

- The number of enterprises engaged in trade decreased from 177,011 to 139,171, or by 21.4%;

- The number of enterprises providing transportation and storage services fell from 20,207 to 15,595, or by 21%;

- The number of enterprises in the information and communication sector decreased from 11,879 to 10,015, or by 15.7%.

In contrast, the number of enterprises engaged in healthcare and social services increased from 11,442 to 11,941, or by 4.4%.

The number of newly established enterprises is also declining . While around 103 thousand new enterprises and organizations were registered in 2021, this number dropped to 94 thousand in 2022, 89 thousand in 2023, and approximately 80 thousand in 2024.

Business sentiments are not what they used to be

Previously, the Central Bank published a "Business Environment Review." According to this report, in the 4th quarter of 2024, the number of entrepreneurs who believe that the business environment has improved decreased. 53% of respondents noted an improvement in the business environment locally, down from 57% in the 3rd quarter.

Additionally, the decline in the utilization of production capacities among enterprises is noteworthy. At the end of last year, the share of enterprises operating at medium or high capacities dropped to 50%. According to the Central Bank, this is the lowest figure in the past 1.5 years. Enterprises that are not operating at full capacity are primarily located in the Namangan, Jizzakh, and Tashkent regions.

When asked why their enterprises are not operating at full capacity, entrepreneurs cited reasons such as disruptions in gas and electricity supplies, rising prices for automotive fuel, and difficulties with the tax system. Over the past three years, the share of business owners who believe that the economic situation and business environment will improve has decreased from 62% to 56%.