In the Global Cities Index 2026 compiled by Oxford Economics, Tashkent has been ranked 343rd among the world's 1,000 largest cities. Over the past year, the Uzbek capital climbed 128 positions. Tashkent was also included in the list of 28 Cities to Watch — dynamic cities that could significantly rise in the rankings in the coming years.
The report notes that Tashkent is becoming one of Central Asia's most promising urban economic centers. "Before the collapse of the USSR, Tashkent was a major industrial city... However, after gaining independence and entering international markets, the city's economy became more diversified. Today, the capital of Uzbekistan demonstrates steady growth, accompanied by rapid construction and a flow of investment into various sectors. Moreover, unlike many other cities in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, it experiences stable population growth," the report states.
The city's geographical location and availability of skilled personnel are cited as key advantages. At the same time, Oxford Economics points out that low GDP per capita increases the risk of "brain drain" to wealthier countries. Another important issue requiring attention, according to the ranking's authors, is environmental pressure, particularly water scarcity.
The index combines five categories: Economics, Human Capital, Quality of Life, Environment, and Governance. Each category is scored on a scale from 0 to 100, and the scores are then combined into an overall result. In the Economics category, Tashkent scored 54.7 points and ranked 188th globally (top 20%). In Human Capital, it scored 61.5 points and ranked 108th (top 20%). In Quality of Life, it received 47.5 points and ranked 644th (bottom 40%). In Environment, it scored 45.1 points and ranked 806th (bottom 15%). In Governance, it received its lowest score — 40.2 points — and ranked 825th (bottom 15%).
"Effective governance underpins a city's ability to plan, invest, and meet the needs of its residents and businesses," the authors explain. The top positions in the ranking are occupied by cities in the US, Europe, and Asia. New York leads with 100 points, followed by London (98.8) and Paris (93.4). The top ten also includes Seattle, San Francisco, Dublin, Boston, San Jose, Tokyo, and Zurich. Among Central Asian cities, Almaty ranked 265th, Astana 281st, Bishkek 461st, Ashgabat 668th, and Dushanbe 672nd.
Source: www.gazeta.uz