Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Between 2017 and 2024, Uzbekistan’s services sector has shown steady growth, strengthening its position as a key pillar of the national economy and playing a significant role in employment and quality of life.

Experts from the Institute for Macroeconomic and Regional Studies under the Cabinet of Ministers note that during this period, the share of services in GDP rose from 41.6% to 47.4%, while employment in the sector increased from 49.8% to 55.4%, covering nearly 8 million people. The number of enterprises operating in the services sector grew 1.6 times, reaching 310,800.

According to the World Bank, Uzbekistan recorded the highest growth rate in value added from services among Central Asian countries, averaging 6.5% per year from 2017 to 2023. This significantly outpaced neighboring states (Kazakhstan — 2.5%, Kyrgyzstan — 3.1%, Tajikistan — 5.2%).

Over the eight-year period, the total volume of services rendered increased 2.5 times, with particularly rapid growth in financial services (7.6 times), information and communication technologies (4.9 times), and education (3.2 times).

Uzbekistan has also emerged as an attractive location for service operations. In the 2023 Kearney Global Services Location Index, the country ranked 40th out of 78 nations, earning high marks for its financial appeal to businesses.

Thanks to digitalization and the development of online services, the share of the information economy and e-commerce in GDP grew from 2.2% in 2017 to 3.7% in 2024. In 2023, the volume of e-sales surpassed US$1 billion for the first time. These achievements are reflected in global indices — Uzbekistan climbed 37 positions in the GovTech Maturity Index (GTMI), ranking 43rd, and reached 53rd place in the E-Participation Index, maintaining its status as a country with a high level of digital public services.

Tourism services have become one of the most dynamically developing areas. Since 2017, the sector’s volume has more than doubled (2.1 times), and by 2024, tourism accounted for the largest share of the services sector at 22.4%. Uzbekistan welcomed 8 million tourists, giving it the highest growth rate in tourist arrivals in Central Asia — 20.1% annually. In the Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI), the country improved its position by 16 points in 2024 alone, rising to 78th place. Experts attribute this progress to the modernization of tourism infrastructure, active implementation of digital solutions (online booking, virtual tours), and the liberalization of visa policies (e-visas).

The logistics sector has also seen positive changes. In the global Logistics Performance Index (LPI), Uzbekistan advanced 11 positions compared to 2018, ranking 88th out of 139 countries. Within the CIS, the country rose to 5th place and 2nd in Central Asia. Notable progress was recorded in customs administration efficiency, integration into international logistics chains, and improvements in the quality of logistics services.

In 2024, services exports reached a record US$7.2 billion, increasing more than sixfold compared to 2017. Services now account for 26.7% of the country’s total exports. The leading segments are tourism (US$3.5 billion or 48.8% of service exports) and transport services (US$2.6 billion or 35.7%).

Thus, the services sector is becoming a vital foundation for sustainable and inclusive economic growth in Uzbekistan, enhancing the country’s position in both regional and global economic landscapes.