According to the results of a survey conducted by the Central Bank of Uzbekistan for September 2026, the annual inflation rate perceived by the country's population stood at 9.2 percent, showing a slight decrease compared to the previous month. These findings offer critical insights into public sentiment regarding cost-of-living pressures and household expenditures amid ongoing economic adjustments.

Regional analysis reveals that the highest perceived inflation was recorded in the capital city of Tashkent at 11.9 percent, while the lowest was observed in the Namangan region at 7.9 percent. Demographically, pensioners reported feeling the brunt of the price hikes the most, estimating that prices surged by 12.5 percent over the past 12 months, whereas employees in the public catering sector perceived a lower rate of 8.2 percent.

Meat and dairy products remained the leading commodities driving consumer concern, with 56 percent of respondents noting significant price increases. Other primary factors contributing to the perceived inflation included gasoline and fuel (53 percent), electricity and natural gas (36 percent), public transportation services (24 percent), and dining out services (22 percent).

Additionally, the public's inflation expectations for the next 12 months eased slightly to 8.7 percent, while business expectations settled at 9.2 percent. By comparison, the National Statistics Committee previously estimated official annual inflation for September at 6.4 percent, highlighting a notable gap between official metrics and the public's lived experience.

Source: kun.uz