Turkmen Citizens Top the List of International Students in Uzbekistan
In the first half of 2026, Uzbekistan recorded a significant increase in the number of foreign citizens arriving in the country for study. According to statistics from the National Statistics Committee of Uzbekistan (Natkomstat RUz), published in a Sputnik Uzbekistan infographic, Turkmenistan became the absolute leader in student numbers.
From January to June 2026, 9,207 Turkmen citizens came to study in the neighboring country. This is the highest figure among all countries in the world, confirming the active development of educational cooperation and academic exchanges between the two countries.
Overall, the educational flow to Uzbekistan more than doubled in six months, exceeding 21,000 people. The top five countries from which students come to study also included India (3,723), Tajikistan (1,915), China (951), and Kyrgyzstan (834).
This trend is being reinforced by the active implementation of joint inter-university programs, internships, and the expansion of grant quotas at higher education institutions in the region.
