Most households in Uzbekistan are spending a significant share of their income on home repairs, while a majority expect their earnings to increase, according to a consumer sentiment survey by the Central Bank of Uzbekistan.
The survey for the fourth quarter of 2025 shows that 67% of respondents expect their income to grow in the future, up from 62% in the previous quarter. Another 25% believe their income will remain stable, while only 8% anticipate a decline.
Income expectations vary across groups. Optimism increased slightly among those earning between UZS 7mn ($574) and UZS 10mn ($820), while expectations declined among higher-income groups earning above UZS 20mn ($1,640). At the same time, expectations of stable income rose among both lower- and higher-income households.
Wages remain the main source of income, with 67% of respondents relying on official salaries. Meanwhile, reliance on informal sources such as household farming, freelance work, and remittances declined.
Positive income expectations were most evident among workers in services, IT, media, agriculture, public administration, catering, and trade, while respondents in education, utilities, and construction reported weaker expectations.
Spending patterns shift toward housing and education
The survey indicates that 76% of respondents expect their expenses to increase in the coming months, slightly down from 78% in the previous quarter. At the same time, the share of those expecting reduced spending rose slightly, particularly among the lowest- and highest-income groups.
Home repairs and education emerged as the top spending priorities across most income groups. Lower-income households, earning up to UZS 5mn ($410), are focusing primarily on housing improvements and education, while higher-income groups earning above UZS 20mn ($1,640) are more likely to plan spending on cars, housing purchases, and travel.
Furniture purchases were also noted, with 13% of respondents earning above UZS 15mn ($1,230) indicating plans to buy furniture.
Education remains one of the most consistent spending categories across all groups, including lower-income households. Younger respondents, under 30, prioritize education and housing, while those aged 31–50 focus on home repairs, children’s education, healthcare, and family events. Older respondents, above 51, tend to spend more on healthcare and social ceremonies.
Looking ahead, demand is expected to remain strong for spending on housing, education, healthcare, car purchases, and family-related events.
Earlier data also showed that total household loans in Uzbekistan reached UZS 223.9trillion ($18.34bn), with the largest share — UZS 81.2trillion ($6.65bn) — used for housing purchases, highlighting the continued importance of real estate in household financial behavior.
