Uzbekistan becomes the most populous nation among former Soviet republics (excluding Russia).

Uzbekistan's population reached 36.8 million people as of January 1st, 2024, according to the country's statistics agency. Meanwhile, Ukraine has been witnessing a long-term population decline, with a UN estimate of 36.7 million people for 2023. 

Since 1990, Uzbekistan has seen the biggest population growth among 50 countries of Europe and Central Asia, adding 16.3 million people in the last 33 years. On the other side of the spectrum, Ukraine experienced the most dramatic demographic plunge among the ECA countries, with its population size shrinking by 15 million over the same period.