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WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
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Uzbekistan
Index
Population: Approximately 23 million, 1994; growth
rate in 1995, 2.5 percent per year; 1993 population density 48.5 persons
per square kilometer.
Ethnic Groups: In 1995, Uzbek 71 percent, Russian 8
percent, Tajik 5 percent, Kazak 4 percent, Tatar 2 percent, and Karakalpak
2 percent.
Language: Uzbek designated preferred language,
required for citizenship, but Russian in wide official and commercial use,
1995. In 1994, Uzbek first language of 74 percent, Russian of 14 percent,
and Tajik of 4 percent.
Religion: Muslim (mostly Sunni) 88 percent, Russian
Ortho-dox 9 percent, about 93,000 Jews. Islam practiced in individ-ualized
forms; little political Islam although post-Soviet religious practice
greatly increased.
Education and Literacy: Literacy 97 percent, 1989.
Program to restructure Soviet-era system hampered by low budget, poor
condition of infrastructure, and loss of teachers. Attendance compulsory
through grade nine. In 1993, 86 percent of population ages six to sixteen
in regular or vocational school. Fifty-three institutions of higher
learning active, 1993.
Health: Universal free health care; some private
practices and health insurance introduced, early 1990s. Shortages of
medicine, equipment, and trained personnel. Health crises, epidemics
caused by high pollution levels, especially in Aral Sea region. Infant
mortality increased very fast beginning in 1970s.
Data as of March 1996
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