Official average monthly wages in Uzbekistan have purportedly nearly doubled over the past four years, though sectors employing the majority of the working population continue to lag behind national averages. According to data provided by the National Statistics Committee, the average nominal salary reached 7.27 million soms by the third quarter of 2026, marking an 18 percent increase compared to the same period last year. However, authorities admit these figures are calculated before tax deductions and do not represent the net take-home pay of employees.

Analysts point out that these headline statistics may fail to fully capture the realities of the domestic labor market, as the 7.3 million average excludes small businesses and agricultural enterprises. Out of a total workforce numbering nearly 15 million people, over 21 percent are employed in the agricultural sector, where average wages remain modest at 3.67 million soms. Consequently, across industries employing over 10 million citizens, earnings are considerably lower than the officially touted national average.

In a notable development, median wage data was published for the first time in the country's history. Experimental calculations for January through August 2026 put the median salary at 4.16 million soms, meaning half of wage earners receive less than this threshold while the other half earn more. Factoring in the 12 percent income tax, the net take-home pay for 50 percent of official wage earners allegedly does not exceed 3.66 million soms, or roughly 305 US dollars.

Significant regional disparities further complicate the economic picture, with the lowest median wages recorded in the Syrdarya region at under 3 million soms before taxes. Conversely, the highest earnings are concentrated in the Navoi region and Tashkent, where the post-tax median salary reached nearly 5.98 million soms. This stark contrast highlights a widening gap between average statistical indicators and the actual median income experienced by most workers.

Source: kun.uz