Uzbekistan leads in shadow economy share in Central Asia

AKIPRESS.COM - The share of shadow economy in GDP of Uzbekistan made 52.11% in 2019, the Ministry of Economic Development and Poverty Reduction reported. Uzbekistan holds the first place in shadow economy share in Central Asia, according to World Bank experts.
In Tajikistan, this share makes 40.76%, in Kazakhstan - 36.65%, in Kyrgyzstan - 30.53%.
According to official reports, shadow economy is growing in Uzbekistan since 2003. Thus, shadow economy level in 2003 made 35%, in 2011-2017 it made 45-50%.
The annual losses from shadow economy for 2019 are estimated at $16-17 billion.