Uzbek Incomes Up 9.2 Percent in Real Terms in First Half

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The total aggregate income of Uzbekistan's population reached 618.3 trillion soums in January–June 2026, representing a real growth of 9.2 percent compared with the same period last year. The figures were released in a press statement by the National Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Statistics on 28 July.

In nominal terms, total income increased by 16.6 percent. The difference between nominal and real figures reflects the impact of inflation, which the agency adjusts for using the consumer price index to calculate real growth rates. Per capita income for the six-month period stood at 16.1 million soums, up 7.3 percent in real terms.

Tashkent Leads, Southern and Western Regions Lag

Average per capita income exceeded the national average in only three regions: Tashkent at 45.2 million soums—nearly three times the national average—Navoi Region at 21.7 million soums, and Bukhara Region at 17.3 million soums. In all other regions, per capita income remained below the national average, with the lowest figures recorded in Surkhandarya Region (10.9 million soums), Namangan Region (11.4 million soums), and Syrdarya Region (11.4 million soums).

At the same time, the fastest real growth rates in per capita income were observed in Tashkent (14.9 percent), the Republic of Karakalpakstan (13 percent), and Namangan Region (12.6 percent), indicating that several regions with lower baseline incomes are growing faster than the capital. Khorezm, Surkhandarya, and Syrdarya regions recorded the slowest growth, between 1.3 percent and 1.5 percent.

Over 60 Percent of Incomes Stem from Labor, Nearly Third from Transfers

Labor activities generated 63.1 percent of aggregate income, split between wages of employed workers at 29.3 percent and self-employment income at 33.8 percent. Income from the production of services for own consumption accounted for 6.4 percent, property income represented 3.8 percent, and transfers made up 26.7 percent.

Incomes of employed workers grew by 24.7 percent, contributing 6.8 percentage points to overall nominal income growth. The highest shares of wage labor income were recorded in Tashkent (53 percent) and Navoi Region (44.8 percent), where major industrial enterprises and corporate entities are concentrated.

Income from self-employment grew by 17.1 percent, adding 5.7 percentage points to overall growth. This category carries significant weight in several regions, accounting for 53 percent of total population income in Jizzakh Region, 45.9 percent in Kashkadarya Region, and 45 percent in Namangan Region. In Namangan Region, self-employment income grew by 140.3 percent, the highest rate among all regions.

Transfers Account for Over One-Third in Agricultural Regions, 14 Percent in Navoi

The share of income derived from transfers exceeded 30 percent in Samarkand, Khorezm, Andijan, Ferghana, Surkhandarya, Bukhara, and Kashkadarya regions. The lowest share was reported in Navoi Region at 14.3 percent, where employment at industrial enterprises provides the primary source of income.

Within transfers, social payments accounted for 32 percent, while other current transfers made up 68 percent. Pensions dominated social transfers at 84.6 percent, followed by benefits at 13.8 percent and stipends at 1.6 percent.

The agency specifically highlighted foreign remittances, which accounted for 18.2 percent of total population income. Remittances were particularly significant in Samarkand (26.8 percent), Khorezm (26.5 percent), and Andijan (26.3 percent) regions, which experience high levels of labor migration. In Navoi Region, remittances represented a minimal share of 5 percent.

Small Business Generates Over Half of Population Income

Income from small business activities formed 57.6 percent of total population income nationwide. Small business income held the highest weight in Jizzakh Region (68.4 percent), Kashkadarya and Namangan regions (64 percent each), Bukhara Region (62.8 percent), and Samarkand Region (62 percent). The figure fell below 50 percent only in Tashkent (46.2 percent) and Navoi Region (45.9 percent), where corporate employment and hired labor are more developed.