Uzbekistan surpasses CIS countries in healthcare ranking

Uzbekistan ranked 49th among 101 countries with a score of 64,4 in the Health Care Index ranking compiled by the Numbeo platform for the first half of 2026. The country recorded the highest result among the CIS and Central Asian countries included in the ranking, surpassing Russia, Kazakhstan and Armenia.

However, it would be incorrect to interpret this result as an absolute conclusion that “Uzbekistan has the 49th strongest healthcare system in the world.” The Numbeo index is based primarily on website users’ impressions of medical services, rather than clinical outcomes or official government reports.

Which countries in the region did Uzbekistan surpass?

Uzbekistan scored 64,42 points in the Health Care Index 2026 Mid-Year table. Russia scored 61,69, Kazakhstan 60,70, and Armenia 59,99 points.

At the same time, the phrase “all Central Asian countries were surpassed” should be used with caution. Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan were not included in the table due to insufficient data. Thus, Uzbekistan ranked first among the regional countries that participated in the ranking.

What received the highest scores?

On Uzbekistan’s Numbeo page, the convenience of medical facilities’ locations received the highest score — 71,11 points.

Staff courtesy and the financial affordability of services for patients each received 68,89 points. The competence of medical personnel was placed in the “high” category with a score of 60,8 points.

The figures show that users rated the convenience and cost of medical services, as well as staff attitudes, relatively highly.

However, modern diagnostic equipment and waiting times at medical facilities remain the weakest areas of the index.

The main problem — equipment and queues

Equipment with diagnostic and modern treatment capabilities received 59,3 points. The lower score in this area may mean that capabilities are not the same at all clinics.

Technology available at a major private or specialized center in the capital may not be available at a regional or district facility. Therefore, the overall index does not fully reflect regional disparities within the country.

The score of 58,33 for waiting times indicates that patients still face difficulties in processes such as:

• waiting to see a doctor;

• receiving test results;

• undergoing diagnostics;

• obtaining a referral to a specialist

.

Tashkent ranks second among cities in the region

Tashkent’s current Health Care Index score stands at 65,7 points. In the city table compiled for 2026, this figure was rounded to 65,8 points.

Among the cities in Central Asia included in the ranking, Astana ranked above Tashkent with 67,3 points. Tashkent recorded the second-highest result.

There is also an important limitation here: some cities such as Bishkek, Dushanbe and Ashgabat are not reflected in the ranking. Therefore, the result is only a comparison among cities for which sufficient data was collected.

How is this ranking compiled?

Numbeo calculates its healthcare index based on surveys completed by website users. Responses are assessed on a scale ranging from negative to positive and then converted into a score from 0 to 100.

The survey takes the following aspects into account:

• doctors’ knowledge and competence;

• the speed of conducting examinations;

• the availability of modern equipment;

• the quality of medical record-keeping;

• staff attitudes;

• queues and waiting times;

• the cost of services;

• the convenience of the facility’s location.

Detailed results for Uzbekistan are based on responses from 45 participants. Numbeo itself also notes that the volume of data for the country is not large and that more participants are needed to ensure reliability.

What does the ranking not measure?

The Health Care Index reflects people’s experience of accessing medical services, but does not cover all outcomes of the healthcare system.

The following important indicators are not directly taken into account:

• average life expectancy;

• maternal and child mortality;

• the rate of early disease detection;

• the number of doctors and hospital beds;

• rural residents’ access to healthcare;

• clinical outcomes after treatment;

• impoverishment of the population due to medical expenses.

Therefore, the Numbeo ranking does not replace the World Health Organization or official medical statistics. It is primarily a tool for comparing the subjective experiences of patients and users across countries.

More than 35 thousand foreigners came for treatment

In January–June 2026, 35 401 foreign citizens came to Uzbekistan for treatment.

The majority came from neighboring countries:

Those arriving from three neighboring countries — Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan — accounted for approximately 94 percent of all foreign patients.

This figure indicates that Uzbekistan is in demand primarily in the regional medical services market. Geographic proximity, linguistic and cultural similarities, service prices and the capabilities of private clinics may have influenced the choice. This is an analytical conclusion based on the available figures; the reasons for the visitors’ choice were not studied through a separate survey.

However, the number of medical tourists has declined

There is no basis for interpreting the figure of 35 401 as meaning that “the number of medical tourists has increased.”

In January–June 2025, 48 557 foreigners came to Uzbekistan for treatment. Thus, in the first half of 2026, the figure decreased by approximately 27,1 percent compared with the same period a year earlier.

A total of 86 199 foreigners came for treatment in 2025. For this figure to be matched or exceeded by the end of 2026, the flow will need to accelerate significantly in the second half of the year.

Why is the ranking high while medical tourism has declined?

These two figures are not contradictory.

The Numbeo index reflects the views of people who have used the services regarding their quality, convenience and cost. The number of medical tourists is also influenced by other factors:

• border and transport conditions;

• the opening of new clinics in neighboring countries;

• exchange rates;

• changes in treatment costs;

• visa and registration procedures;

• seasonality;

• how patients officially state the purpose of their visit.

Therefore, a high score in an international index does not automatically mean that the number of patients will also increase.

What is the real significance of the result for Uzbekistan?

49th place does not indicate that all problems in the healthcare system have been resolved. However, it shows that patients are rating service prices, the convenient locations of facilities and the attitudes of medical personnel relatively positively.

The main task now is to improve the areas that recorded the lowest results in the ranking:

1. Increase the number of modern diagnostic devices in the regions.

2. Reduce waiting times for appointments and examinations.

3. Reduce the quality gap between public and private clinics.

4. Publish medical service outcomes openly.

5. Analyze rankings together with clinical and official statistics.

The Numbeo result was a positive information signal for Uzbekistan. However, the country’s true leadership will be demonstrated not by its position in a table, but when patients can receive modern diagnostics, qualified treatment and prompt service equally in the capital and in the most remote areas.

In your opinion, should Uzbekistan prioritize upgrading equipment or shortening queues for doctor appointments? Leave your opinion in the comments and share the article with your acquaintances on Telegram or other social networks!