The Uzbeks (Oʻzbek, pl. Oʻzbeklar) are a major Turkic-speaking ethnic group in Central Asia. They comprise the majority population of Uzbekistan, and large populations can also be found in Afghanistan, Tajikstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Pakistan and the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China. Smaller diaspora populations of Uzbeks from Central Asia, mainly from Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, are also found in Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, North America, and Western Europe. Total population 28-30 million.
Regions with significant populations
Uzbekistan 24.8 million
Tajikistan 2.1 million
Afghanistan 3.5 million
Kyrgyzstan 780,000
Pakistan 500,000
Kazakhstan 490,000
Turkmenistan 260,000
Russia 299,862
China 24,800
Ukraine 22,400
Australia 5,000
United States 15,960
Turkey 5,000
Languages: Uzbek, Russian,
Religion: Islam (Predominantly Sunni)
Related ethnic groups: neighbouring Turkic and Iranian peoples