For the third consecutive year, Tajikistan ranks last in Central Asia in terms of nominal GDP. According to national statistical agencies across the region (with data for Turkmenistan provided by the IMF), Kazakhstan’s GDP surpassed $300 billion for the first time in 2025.
Uzbekistan follows with a nominal GDP of $152.5 billion last year, while Turkmenistan's nominal GDP stood at $72.1 billion. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan occupy the lowest positions with significant gaps, registering nominal GDPs of $22.6 billion and $19 billion, respectively.
However, the highest real GDP growth in the past year was recorded in these two countries: Kyrgyzstan saw a growth rate of 11.1%, while Tajikistan’s economy grew by 8.4%. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan’s real GDP grew by 7.7%, Kazakhstan’s by 6.5%, and Turkmenistan’s by 2.3%.
It is worth noting that up until 2023, Tajikistan held the penultimate position in the region. However, in the last three years, it has fallen behind Kyrgyzstan, with the gap widening each year.
Nominal GDP of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan in 2020–2025
|
Year |
Tajikistan |
Kyrgyzstan |
|---|---|---|
|
2020 |
$7.9 billion |
$7.8 billion |
|
2021 |
$8.8 billion |
$8.6 billion |
|
2022 |
$11.4 billion |
$10.5 billion |
|
2023 |
$11.9 billion |
$13.7 billion |
|
2024 |
$14 billion |
$17.2 billion |
|
2025 |
$19 billion |
$22.6 billion |
According to IMF estimates, Tajikistan also ranked last in 2025 for GDP per capita in Central Asia, placing it at the bottom of the post-Soviet space as well. Central Asia remains the most economically underdeveloped region of the former Soviet Union.
GDP per capita of Central Asian countries in 2025
Kazakhstan – $14,700
Turkmenistan – $10,800
Uzbekistan – $3,700
Kyrgyzstan – $2,800
Tajikistan – $1,600
Source: IMF