President: Real income of population grow by 16%

President said that average size of salary of employees of budget organizations, pensions, social allowances and stipends rose by 20.8% in 2013.

He said that currently average size of pension in Uzbekistan compared to average salary makes up 37.5%, while the figure makes up 25.7% in Russia, 23-28% in Central Asian states. It is planned to increase the figure to 41% in 2014, he added.

Islam Karimov said that the structure of income of families is also changing and share of income from entrepreneurship activities makes up over half of aggregate income of population, while this figure in the CIS state does not exceed 20-25%. He noted that the difference between lowest and highest salaries in Uzbekistan is eight times, while the figure is much higher in neighbouring states.

President Karimov said that the growth of income and savings helped to increase purchasing power of population. In 2000-2013, the consumer expenses rose 9.5 times, he added.

He said that consumer basket changed quality. He said that the volume of non-food products and services rose in its structure along with the growth of consumption of important food products. During the independence years, consumption of meat rose 1.4 times, milk – 1.3 times, vegetables and melons – 2.6 times, potatoes – 2 times, and fruits – 6.4%, President added.

He said the situation with provision of non-food durable products changed radically. The equipment of families with modern appliances, such as refrigerators, air-conditioners, computers, TV-sets, mobile phones, increased.

Uzbek President underlined that situation with purchase of cars, mainly locally made, also changed. He said that 20 cars fell to share of 100 families in 2000, the figure now makes up 41.4.

He said that the researches show that over 11% of households in Uzbekistan have two automobiles.

Islam Karimov said that these figures serve as evidence for gradual and state-by-stage movement of Uzbekistan to its goal – to achieve level of developed countries. He said Uzbekistan will achieve its goal for sure.