️ The National Statistics Committee of Uzbekistan has announced the minimum consumer expenditure (MCE) for 2026, setting it at 715,000 soums per person per month. This represents a 6.9% increase from the 2025 figure of 669,000 soums, but falls short of the official inflation rate for 2025, which was estimated at 7.3%.

️ The discrepancy between the MCE growth and inflation rates raises concerns about the real improvement in living standards for the population. With inflation outpacing the adjustment in minimum expenditures, many households may continue to face economic pressures, despite official claims of poverty reduction efforts.

️ The MCE serves as the official poverty line in Uzbekistan. Families with per capita income below this threshold are classified as poor, and the government purportedly takes responsibility for lifting them out of poverty. However, critics question the effectiveness of such measures, given ongoing economic challenges and delays in policy implementation.

️ According to the Statistics Committee, the new MCE of 715,000 soums was derived through "separate indexing based on price indices for food, non-food goods, and services," taking into account 2025 inflation. Yet, there is skepticism about whether this methodology accurately reflects the cost of living, with some analysts pointing to potential underestimations in essential expenses.

️ By law, the National Statistics Committee is required to announce the MCE and poverty levels annually by January 20 of the following year, based on the inflation rate of the reporting year. However, the committee has consistently missed this deadline, announcing the figures on February 4 last year and March 4 this year, highlighting issues with administrative efficiency and transparency in data reporting.

Source: kun.uz