Are Uzbek pensioners getting richer? Their incomes have increased 3.3-fold over the past ten years.

Uzbek pensioners' incomes have increased 3.3-fold over the past ten years.

Over the past decade, the average pension payment in Uzbekistan has more than tripled. While in 2016 the average pensioner received approximately 494,000 soums per month, by 2025 this amount had reached almost 1.65 million soums.

According to the National Statistics Committee, the average monthly pension in the country will be 1,649,200 soums in 2025. This represents a 3.3-fold increase compared to 2016.

The average pension change trend is as follows:

2016 — 494,200 soums;

2017 — 556,800 soums;

2018 — 640,500 soums;

2019 — 733,200 soums;

2020 — 848,500 soums;

2021 — 963,600 soums;

2022 — 1,080,800 soums;

2023 — 1,234,500 soums;

2024 — 1,495,600 soums;

2025 — 1,649,200 soums.

Thus, over a ten-year period, the average pension in Uzbekistan increased by approximately 1.15 million soums per month.

However, a reasonable question arises: does a 3.3-fold increase in payments mean a similar increase in the well-being of Uzbek pensioners?

Not necessarily. Statistical data reflects the nominal pension amount, while the actual standard of living depends not only on the amount of payments but also on inflation and rising prices for food, medicine, utilities, and other essential goods.

On paper, Uzbek pensioners have indeed seen their incomes increase several times over the past ten years. But the key indicator of whether they are living better is measured not only by the number on their pension payroll, but by how many goods and services can be purchased with that money.

Therefore, despite this impressive 3.3-fold increase, a key question remains: are pension increases keeping pace with the cost of living?