The wealthy Tashkent residents, the credit swamp, and the nurse in America - how are Uzbeks living?

High incomes of Tashkent residents, a whirlwind of loans and the life of a nurse in America - how do Uzbeks live?

While the average salary in Uzbekistan exceeds 7 million soums, in the capital this figure is more than 12 million soums. The lowest salary is recorded in Kashkadarya, while the Jizzakh region is considered a region with stable incomes. So, if these statistics are true, what can Uzbeks do with this money? According to those who spoke to Kun.uz, most of our compatriots spend their main funds on subsistence and paying off debts.

According to the semi-annual analysis of the Statistics Committee, it was found that the average salary in Uzbekistan is more than 7 million soums. Tashkent, by tradition, remains the most profitable region. But what do people achieve with this money?

Kun.uz discussed this issue in detail with an economist, a social scientist, and an Uzbek nurse working in the United States. In their opinion, today Uzbeks complain about the high prices of utilities, food, and other services. They are also forced to spend at least 40 percent of their income on debts.

Economist Valijon Turaqulov, who participated in an online conversation from Seoul, South Korea, noted that although such statistics are reflected in people's lives, the average salary does not fully reflect the real situation of each citizen.

"For example, not all Koreans earn 3-4 thousand dollars a month. In Uzbekistan, there are quite a few people in rural areas whose annual income does not even reach 500 US dollars. However, it is wrong to assume that everyone receives such a salary when calculating the average salary. Therefore, using the median calculation and sorting salaries from the smallest to the largest, taking the middle value, reflects a more realistic situation," the economist says.

According to sociologist Mahmud Yuldoshev, most Uzbeks are not satisfied with their income and are looking to emigrate abroad. In addition, pensioners are in the most difficult position in society. The situation is especially difficult for those whose livelihoods depend on livestock, Yuldoshev says.

"For example, salaries in Jizzakh have been low for many years and this has been going on for a long time. The reason is that the people of Jizzakh do not know how to trade well, and most of them are tied to livestock. And livestock give birth once a year, and the situation is worse than in other regions," the sociologist says.

Nilufar Salimova has lived in the United States for 18 years. She is currently studying at a university, but until recently she worked in one of the most famous and highly paid hospitals in New York. "My income was 150 thousand US dollars a year," she says.

"I know for sure that in Uzbekistan, medical workers, especially nurses, are paid very little. In the United States, nurses earn from 50,000 to 150,000 US dollars a year or more, depending on the position and how much they work. I worked full-time, 3 days a week, and my salary, including bonuses, was about 150,000 US dollars a year. This is enough for a nurse's family and a very good life," says Salimova.

However, according to all three interviewees, people everywhere are suffering from the high cost of food, services, transportation, and basic necessities. Food prices have risen sharply in America in particular recently.

"If I earn $12,500 a month, I would get $9,000 after taxes. All of that goes to my expenses, because we have a family of 5, 3 children. People always look at a big salary, but we also have big expenses," says Nilufar Salimova, who now lives in New Jersey.

Economist Turaqulov added that Uzbeks today, in addition to paying off a large part of their income on debt or credit, are unable to earn money on rent, daily expenses, and family expenses. Young families, in particular, spend at least half of their income on rent, and the rest goes to education and daily expenses. The role of the state in this regard is important, because the economic situation of each individual ultimately shapes the economic situation of the state, he says.

According to the speakers, Uzbekistan should also launch state programs in areas where the population spends the most money. For example, it is time to announce state social programs for those with financial difficulties, those who live in permanent rented houses, those who send their children to clubs, and for medicine, along with private schools.

You can watch the full interview on Kun.uz's YouTube page.