For expats moving to Uzbekistan, the country’s desert sands and awe-inspiring mountain peaks make for a fascinating landscape to explore. While it may not be the most conventional of expat destinations, Uzbekistan certainly has a unique brand of charm and can offer an interesting and enlightening stay for the open-minded.

Living in Uzbekistan as an expat

Though the expat community in Uzbekistan is relatively small, the country’s strong economy continues to draw foreigners looking for career progression. Thanks to the Uzbek government’s efforts, the country’s GDP is steadily increasing year by year. The main drivers of the Uzbek economy are gas, oil and gold, and most expats work as senior management professionals in one of these industries. Teaching English is another prospect for job-seeking expats looking to move to Uzbekistan.

Although some speak Russian, the country's official language is Uzbek. Few Uzbek people speak fluent English, so basic knowledge of Uzbek or Russian is recommended. Those planning on living in Uzbekistan for an extended period should consider enrolling in a local language course to make the transition smoother.

Accommodation in Uzbekistan is varied, with old Soviet-style apartments and newer builds available. The Soviet-style apartments tend to be in old buildings in need of maintenance and will usually be without some common modern conveniences. These are typically more affordable than newer builds that offer a wide range of amenities and modern appliances and fixtures.

While most Uzbeks are Muslim, Uzbekistan is a very tolerant nation, so expats shouldn’t have any difficulties practising their religion freely here. Regardless, expats should always demonstrate respect for local etiquette and should dress modestly.

Cost of living in Uzbekistan

The cost of living in Uzbekistan is one of its most appealing attributes, making it an attractive destination for expats seeking affordability without sacrificing quality of life. The country’s capital, Tashkent, remains one of the most budget-friendly cities in the region, with everyday expenses costing a fraction of what they would in Europe or the US. However, it is slightly pricier than some neighbouring Central Asian countries like Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

Excellent and well-priced fresh produce can be found in local markets, and dining out offers great value for money. Public transport is both comprehensive and affordable, and expats can also easily find reasonably priced accommodation.

Families and children in Uzbekistan

Expat families relocating to Uzbekistan with children should keep in mind that there are only a handful of international schools in the country, most of which are located in Tashkent. Public education is free, but this is rarely an option for expats since the language of instruction is usually Uzbek or Russian.

Healthcare in Uzbekistan isn’t on par with standards in Western Europe or North America, and there’s a serious shortage of doctors and medical facilities. While the Uzbek government is trying to reform the medical system, it’s best for expats to seek treatment in private hospitals. Many expats travel abroad for more complex medical procedures.

Climate in Uzbekistan

The arid continental climate in Uzbekistan can be trying, especially during winter when temperatures seem to hover around freezing. Thick, cosy coats are the order of the day at this time of year. Meanwhile, summers in Tashkent can be hot, and expats should take care to keep cool, as the temperature can climb to 96°F (36°C) at its peak.

While there is no doubt that Uzbekistan is firmly off the beaten path, its starkly beautiful landscape and welcoming local population have much to offer expats looking for something different.

Fast facts

Population: Over 36 million

Capital city: Tashkent

Neighbouring countries: Kazakhstan to the north, Kyrgyzstan to the east, Tajikistan to the southeast, Afghanistan to the south and Turkmenistan to the southwest.

Geography: Uzbekistan is primarily composed of desert terrain, with some mountainous areas.

Political system: Unitary presidential constitutional secular republic

Major religions: Islam

Main languages: Uzbek and Russian

Money: The local currency is the Uzbekistani Som (UZS). Uzbekistan is still very much a cash-based society, so bank cards are not commonly used.

Tipping: It isn’t common or expected to tip in Uzbekistan. Some upmarket restaurants may add a 10 percent service fee to the bill.

Time: GMT+5

Electricity: 220V, 50Hz. Plugs with two rounded pins are used throughout the country.

Internet domain: .uz

International dialling code: +998

Emergency contacts: 101 (fire), 102 (police) and 103 (ambulance)

Transport and driving: Cars drive on the right-hand side of the road in Uzbekistan. In Tashkent, local public transport consists of taxis, buses, trolleybuses, trams and trains that cover wide areas and are reasonably priced.

*Islamic holidays are subject to change based on sightings of the moon.

Expat families have a relatively small selection of international schools in Uzbekistan from which to choose. Most are located in the capital city, Tashkent. The British system, including the Cambridge IGCSE and A-Levels, is the most commonly taught curriculum throughout these schools. A handful of other schools offer alternatives, such as the French or American systems.

International schools can often ease the transition of moving to a new country, as expat children will be around those who have had similar experiences. In addition, international schools are the only schools in Uzbekistan with English as their main teaching language.

As private and international schools in Uzbekistan were only recently allowed, these schools typically boast modern infrastructure, with state-of-the-art indoor gyms, basketball courts and outdoor areas. Most international schools in Uzbekistan place a strong emphasis on the holistic development of students, and taking up at least one extracurricular activity is often mandatory.

Parents are encouraged to apply as early as possible and have all their children's academic and health records ready, as spaces at international schools are limited. Some schools may also invite students for interviews or require them to take entrance tests.

Below is a list of international schools in Uzbekistan.

International schools in Uzbekistan

The British School of Tashkent

The British School of Tashkent (BST) is a well-respected international school offering a joint British-Uzbek curriculum. The school's student body of 650 is diverse, being made up of more than 40 nationalities.

The school follows the English National Curriculum, with students taking their IGCSE and A-Level exams in secondary school and sixth form. BST also delivers the Uzbek curriculum, providing Uzbek students with the Attestat certificate. With a typical student-teacher ratio of 11:1, students are sure to receive the individual attention they need to thrive. Read more

Gender: Co-educational 
Curriculum: British (English National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE and A-Levels) and Uzbek 
Ages: 1.5 to 18

CIS International School

Gender: Co-educational 
Curriculum: Canadian, British (English National Curriculum, Cambridge Primary, Cambridge Secondary (including IGCSE) and A-Levels) and Russian 
Ages: 2 to 18 
Website: www.cisedu.com

Ecole Française de Tachkent

Gender: Co-educational 
Curriculum: French 
Ages: 2 to 18 
Website: www.ecole-francaise-tachkent.com

Tashkent International School

Gender: Co-educational 
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate 
Ages: 2 to 18 
Website: www.tashschool.org

Education and schools in Uzbekistan have been going through continuous reform since 1991, when the country became independent after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The local curriculum has been criticised as being too focused on rote learning, but there has been a movement towards subjects with a practical orientation.

There are a few international schools in Uzbekistan, most of which are located in the capital city, Tashkent. International schools are usually the best option for expat families as they tend to lessen the disruption of the move, especially if children are able to attend a school that teaches their home curriculum in their first language.

Public schools in Uzbekistan

When it comes to public schooling in Uzbekistan, the most immediate obstacle for expat families is the language barrier. Of the country's more than 10,000 public schools, the vast majority (almost 9,000) teach in Uzbek. The second most common language of instruction is Russian, which is used as the main language at fewer than 1,000 public schools across Uzbekistan.

Public schooling in Uzbekistan is therefore only recommended for expats whose children already have proficiency in Uzbek or are young enough to still pick up the language easily. Furthermore, local schools are often difficult to adjust to in terms of culture. For this reason, only families staying in Uzbekistan for the long term tend to consider this an option.

Public education in Uzbekistan is free and compulsory for 11 years. Primary school begins at age six and continues for four years. The next stage is secondary school, typically from ages 10 to 15. Thereafter, students can choose between general or technical vocational schools.

Uzbekistan's Ministry of Education recently introduced specialised educational institutions for gifted students known as Presidential Schools. These schools offer STEAM subjects alongside the Cambridge IGCSE curriculum to advance academically inclined secondary school students.

Useful links

• The Ministry of Preschool and School Education in Uzbekistan has statistics on schools and education standards in the country.

Private and international schools in Uzbekistan

Before 2017, there was little to no private school presence in Uzbekistan. However, as part of education reform, the government has recently begun to offer incentives to those establishing private schools. This has resulted in many new private schools opening in Uzbekistan.

Private schools choose their own language of instruction. There are several international schools in Tashkent geared towards expats from certain countries. In the case of international schools, teaching is in the language of the school's country of origin, which is often English.

International school fees are usually pricey, so if expat parents are relocating to Uzbekistan for work purposes, it's worthwhile trying to negotiate the inclusion of education expenses in the relocation package.

Useful links

• Check out International Schools in Uzbekistan for more on the country's most popular private schools.

Special-needs education in Uzbekistan

Special-needs education in Uzbekistan lags well behind global standards. Only in the 2021/2022 academic year did the country begin to move towards an inclusive education model for those with special needs. Currently, the government is focused on secondary education, including vocational education. Selected secondary schools across the country now operate on an inclusive basis and offer remedial classes for special-needs students. Graduates of specialised educational institutions can now join certain vocational schools as part of a specialised group.

Private schools are likely to have more resources devoted to special-needs education, but the extent of the support available can vary widely from school to school. It's best to consult schools directly to find out more about any special-needs policies or programmes.

Tutors in Uzbekistan

Though tutors aren't widely used in Uzbekistan, there are a few online tutoring companies that have listings of Uzbek tutors. For expat families, tutors can be particularly helpful in assisting with language acquisition and maintaining proficiency in the family's mother tongue, which can be important if the child's schooling is in their non-native language.

In the run-up to major exams, expat kids attending international schools following curricula like the International Baccalaureate and those of the UK and the US can benefit from online tutoring. Not being limited to the relatively small tutoring market in Uzbekistan makes it easier to find a good fit.

Useful links

• Apprentus and TeacherOn offer a host of private tutors across Uzbekistan.