Inflation perception drops to 13%

The average estimate of inflation over the past 12 months stood at 13%, down by 0.3 percentage points compared to July. The median indicator also decreased by 0.2 percentage points – to 10.8%.

The highest levels of perceived price growth were recorded in Samarkand and Surkhandarya – 14.4%. They were followed by Tashkent region (13.7%), while the capital ranked fourth with 13.6%. The lowest figures were observed in Andijan (11.8%), Bukhara (12%), and Khorezm (12.1%).

By sector, the highest inflation perceptions were reported in education and healthcare – 14.8% and 14.7%, respectively. Pensioners and industrial workers also felt a stronger rise in prices (14.3%). Meanwhile, the lowest perceptions were registered in trade (11.1%) and transportation (11.3%).

After income groups were adjusted, the strongest inflation perceptions were reported among those earning UZS 20–30 million per month (16.7%). They were followed by respondents with monthly incomes of UZS 10–15 million (14.5%) and UZS 15–20 million (14.1%). In comparison, respondents with incomes below UZS 2 million reported an average of 11.2%, while those earning above UZS 30 million put the figure at 11.5%.

Meat and dairy products remained the leaders in the list of goods and services with the most noticeable price increases. Some 57% of respondents mentioned them – only 1% lower than in July.

Electricity and gas tariffs ranked second with 27%, compared to 34% a month earlier. Petrol came third at 26%. A considerable share of respondents also noted higher prices for medicines (34%), cooking oil (23%), building materials, fruits, and vegetables (20%).

The fewest mentions were made about price increases for bread and flour (9%), rice (11%), and household services (10%). However, the frequency of reported price hikes for eggs rose sharply – 17% compared to 10% in July.