If the current growth rate is kept, population of Uzbekistan may reach 27 million by mid-2008. As of 1 April 2007, the country's population made up 26.7 million people, Kazinform quoted a source in the State Statistics Committee of Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan has the largest population in Central Asia and third largest in the CIS (after Russia and Ukraine). The country's population is prevailingly young. Specialists note that even if the current indicators of natural growth are kept, by 2020 the population of Uzbekistan may reach 40 million people.

In the first quarter 2007 the natural increase was 92,100 people, of them 67,900 (73.7%) in the rural areas.

The number of infants born in the first quarter 2007 made up 132,300 people (up 8.6% compared to 1Q 2006). The birth rate made up 20 per mille against 18.7 in 2006.

Statistics show that the increase in birth rate is observed across different regions. Substantial increases are observed in Ferghana (from 16.7 to 19.2 per mille), Tashkent (from 16.8 to 19.1 per mille) regions and Karakalpakstan (from 18.3 to 20.3 per mille).

In the first quarter, death rate has increased by 3,100 people (8.4%) compared to 1Q 2006. The highest death indicators were recorded in the city of Tashkent (9.2 per mille), and the lowest in Jizzakh region (4.8 per mille).

If the current population's quarterly natural growth rate is kept at around 80,000-82,000 the population of Uzbekistan may reach 27 million within a year. It should be kept in mind that the population has a high percentage of young and middle-age people (about 56% of population are aged 15-64) who may give further rise in the population growth. It is expected that the population will grow faster in rural areas where 63% of the country's population resides.

Uzreport.com