Publication Details
Abstract
This article provides a comprehensive assessment of the formation and development of the network of foreign and private (non-state) higher education institutions (HEIs) in Uzbekistan. The study draws on official statistical data covering 2005-2026 and applies time-series analysis, the assessment of structural shifts, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR), the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) and concentration ratios (CR-3, CR-6). The findings show that over the past six years the total number of HEIs rose from 102 to 211, private HEIs from 17 to 69, and foreign HEIs from 7 in 2015/2016 to 30 in 2025/2026; the ownership-based HHI declined from 7,222 to 4,089, confirming a substantial institutional diversification of the system. At the same time, the study identifies two serious imbalances. First, private and foreign HEIs account for 46.9 % of the network but enrol only about 16.6 % of the student body, and average enrolment per institution in this segment is 4.4 times lower than in the state sector. Second, 92.0 % of international students are enrolled at state HEIs, which means that foreign institutions have not become the principal driver of education export. Export revenue per international student is estimated at roughly USD 1,055, indicating low monetisation of an otherwise expanding market. On this basis the author formulates proposals aimed at shifting the network from extensive growth towards intensive, quality-driven development.