Hukmiddin Qamarzoda: Compared to last year, birth registration in the country has increased

The collection, summarization, and effective analysis of demographic statistics and relevant indicators contribute to determining the prospects for the socio-economic development of the country and improving the well-being of the population.…

The collection, summarization, and effective analysis of demographic statistics and relevant indicators contribute to determining the prospects for the socio-economic development of the country and improving the well-being of the population. Demographic data serve as a foundation for assessing key national indicators within the framework of the National Development Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan until 2030, the Medium-Term Development Program for 2021–2025, as well as the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The journal “Harfi Omor” spoke with Khukmiddin Kamarzoda about the latest demographic indicators of Tajikistan.

— Tell us about the work of your department during the first four months of 2025.

The department successfully fulfilled the tasks set out in the Statistical Work Program. In particular, the list of households and rural population was updated as of January 1, 2025, taking into account changes in administrative boundaries and names.

Annual summary tables were also prepared on population migration (by regions, gender, age, countries, and nationalities), birth registrations (by regions, gender, mother’s age, nationality), mortality (by regions, gender, age, causes of death according to ICD-10), as well as marriages and divorces.

Based on preliminary data from civil registration and permanent population migration for 2024, an analytical material was published in the report “Socio-Economic Situation of the Republic of Tajikistan” for January–December 2024 on stat.tj.

— Last year, the registration of rural households was completely digitized. How do you assess this step?

In 2024, thanks to the efforts of the leadership and staff of the Agency, all statistical reports were transitioned to electronic format, including electronic household registration books in the jamoats. This was a significant achievement in modernizing the national statistical system.

The transition to electronic household registration books was outlined in the Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan dated May 31, 2018, No. 291 “On providing local self-government bodies in towns and villages with household registration books for 2018–2022.” This step facilitated the creation of a unified database on the rural population and other statistical indicators.

Jamoat staff positively received the transition to electronic books, noting the timely receipt of statistical information and simplification of processing citizen requests.

— Household budget surveys are an important area of statistical work. What are the goals of this study and what data does it provide?

Since 2015, the Agency has successfully implemented an electronic data collection system, especially for household surveys, using tablets.

The household budget survey is the only national source of statistical data that allows for the assessment of population well-being, income and expenditures, food and service consumption, poverty levels, food security, as well as healthcare, education, and other expenses.

Data for the fourth quarter and all of 2024 were prepared, including information on income and expenditures, actual food consumption, and the structure of expenditures and consumption. Based on data from the Ministry of Finance on public social spending and information from the National Bank on microloans and income from deposits and shares, monetary income and expenditures of the population for 2024 were recalculated.

— Can you briefly describe the demographic situation in the country?

According to preliminary data, as of April 1, 2025, the population of Tajikistan was 10,546,500 people, which is 2% more than the same period in 2024. Regional distribution:

• Khatlon Region — 3,805,800 people

• Sughd Region — 2,975,800 people

• Districts of Republican Subordination — 2,257,300 people

• Dushanbe City — 1,272,400 people

• Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region — 235,200 people

— What is the natural population growth rate for this period?

In January–March 2025, compared to the same period in 2024, birth registration in the country increased by 1.5%. Growth was observed in all regions except Sughd. Specifically:

• Khatlon Region — increase of 2.4% (24,400 newborns)

• Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region — 16.8% (752 newborns)

• Districts of Republican Subordination — 2.3% (13,600 newborns)

• Dushanbe — 1.6% (6,000 newborns)

• Sughd Region — decrease of 1.7% (13,100 newborns)

Death registration during the same period increased by 1.6%, amounting to 8,700 cases. Growth was recorded in Khatlon Region (7.8%, 3,000 cases) and Dushanbe (0.4%, 817 cases). A decrease was observed in Sughd Region (0.3%, 2,900 cases), Districts of Republican Subordination (2.6%, 1,600 cases), and Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (16.1%, 188 cases).

Natural population growth in January–March 2025 was 49,300 people, which is 1.5% more than in the same period in 2024, or 18.9 per 1,000 people.

— Lately, the public has been concerned about the increasing number of divorces among young families. What are the statistics on marriages and divorces for the first quarter of 2025?

In January–March 2025, the number of registered marriages in the country was 18,300, which is 3.8% less than in the same period of 2024. The general marriage rate was 7.0 per 1,000 people.

The number of registered divorces during the same period was 2,100, which is 8.7% less than in the same period of the previous year. The general divorce rate was 0.8 per 1,000 people.

The highest number of divorces was recorded in Sughd Region, where the divorce rate was 1.2 per 1,000 people.

— Thank you for the interview!