Which country does Wikipedia describe as Central Asia's most populous country? Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan is Central Asia's population leader, with more than 38 million people in recent estimates. Its population is nearly half of the region's total, giving it a clear lead over Kazakhstan, despite Kazakhstan being far larger in land area.
The country's population is concentrated mainly in the fertile eastern and southern parts of the country, especially around the Fergana Valley and major cities such as Tashkent, Samarkand, and Namangan. Uzbekistan is also one of the world's two doubly landlocked countries, surrounded by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan.
A common mistake is choosing Kazakhstan because it is Central Asia's largest country by area and has a prominent regional role. Population and territory are different rankings. Uzbekistan's demographic importance also reflects its historical urban centers along Silk Road routes and its relatively young population.