Christianity in Uzbekistan

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Christianity in Uzbekistan is a small religion. In 2010, about 2.3% of people were Christians (around 630,000). In 2020, government figures put the share between about 2.2% and 3.7%.

Historically, Eastern Christians such as Nestorians and Jacobites lived in the region. By the 14th century, Christianity declined quickly. A plague reduced Christian communities, and many who survived may have converted to Islam for economic reasons. Under the Timurid rulers, the situation worsened, and Christians in places like Samarkand were persecuted by Ulugh Beg. Details are unclear because records are scarce.

Christianity returned after the Russian conquest in 1867, when Orthodox churches were built in major cities for Russians and European settlers. In 2010, about 2.5% of the population were Orthodox Christians; in 2020, government figures show about 2.2%, mostly ethnic Russians.

There are about 4,000 Roman Catholics in Uzbekistan. A 2015 study estimated around 10,000 Christians who come from Muslim backgrounds, many of them in evangelical or charismatic Protestant groups. In remote areas, Christians from Muslim backgrounds face strong pressure. Protestants made up about 0.15% of the population in 2020.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Uzbekistan has seven parishes. Its bishop’s seat is in Tashkent, and the president of the synod is Gilda Razpopova.

Jehovah’s Witnesses have lived in Uzbekistan for decades. Since 1992, authorities have refused to legally register all congregations except one in Chirchik. There are about 500 Jehovah’s Witnesses in Chirchik. Under Uzbek law, they may meet only in the Kingdom Hall, and religious propaganda is prohibited.