Uzbekistan: jobs and pay

What is the average salary in Uzbekistan?

The average monthly nominal wage in Uzbekistan was 7,091,100 soums in January to June 2026, 18.4% higher than a year earlier, according to the National Statistics Committee's wage release of 25 July 2026. Tashkent city had the highest average at 12,013,900 soums and Kashkadarya region the lowest at 4,864,700 soums.

The figure is gross accrued pay, before income tax, for employees of enterprises and organisations. It does not cover informal work, which is large in Uzbekistan, or income from self-employment. Because the average is pulled up by high earners, many workers earn less. The increase is nominal: with annual inflation of 6.4% in September 2026, real wage growth was lower.

Official sources: National Statistics Committee: Average monthly nominal wages, January-June 2026 (PDF)

What is the unemployment rate in Uzbekistan?

Uzbekistan had 744,900 unemployed people in 2025, out of an economically active population of 15,678,800, according to the National Statistics Committee's labour market data. That is about 4.8% of the labour force. In 2024 the number of unemployed was 836,000.

The committee counted 14,933,900 people as employed in 2025. Only a small number register as unemployed with employment offices, so registered unemployment is far lower than the survey-based total. The IMF's World Economic Outlook puts the rate at 4.8% for 2025.

Official sources: National Statistics Committee: Labor market · IMF DataMapper: Unemployment rate, Uzbekistan

What is the average pension in Uzbekistan?

The average monthly pension granted to retirees in Uzbekistan was 1,649,200 soums in 2025, up from 1,495,600 soums in 2024, according to the National Statistics Committee's social sphere data. The minimum old-age pension was 983,000 soums in 2025, against 834,000 soums in 2024.

Pensions are paid from the Pension Fund and are raised by presidential decree, so the amount in force on a given date can differ from the annual figure. The decrees are published on Lex.uz. The committee also reports 1,382 people receiving pensions and social benefits per 10,000 population in 2025.

Official sources: National Statistics Committee: Social sphere · Lex.uz

How many people work in Uzbekistan?

Uzbekistan had 14,933,900 employed people in 2025, up from 14,261,900 in 2024, according to the National Statistics Committee. The economically active population, those working or looking for work, was 15,678,800, and the working-age population was 21.3 million at the start of 2026.

The employment total is an annual average that includes people in the informal sector. Wage figures from the same committee cover only employees of enterprises and organisations. Many working-age people do not appear in the active population because they are studying, caring for family or working abroad on a long-term basis.

Official sources: National Statistics Committee: Labor market

What is the minimum wage in Uzbekistan?

Uzbekistan's minimum wage (eng kam ish haqi) is set by presidential decree and published on Lex.uz, the national database of legislation. It is used to calculate the lowest pay employers may set and some benefits, while many fines and fees are calculated from a separate base amount (bazaviy hisoblash miqdori). No current amount is given here because the decree could not be read in full text on 15 October 2026.

For pay actually received, the National Statistics Committee reports an average monthly wage of 7,091,100 soums in January to June 2026. When checking a quoted minimum wage, look for the decree number and the date from which it applies.

Official sources: Lex.uz · National Statistics Committee: Average monthly nominal wages, January-June 2026 (PDF)

What is the minimum wage in Uzbekistan?

The ILO puts the statutory minimum wage in Uzbekistan at 1,050,000 UZS a month (about $83) in 2024. No year since 2012 has been higher.

How much do workers in Uzbekistan earn on average?

$351 a month: that is average monthly earnings of employees in Uzbekistan for 2022, according to the ILO. Since 2013 it has ranged from $226 a month (2018) to $456 a month (2015). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was $1,771 a month, and Uzbekistan placed 39th highest of 43. Worldwide: 68th of 98.

What is Uzbekistan's unemployment rate?

4.6%: that is the unemployment rate in Uzbekistan for 2025, according to the ILO. The peak was 7.1% in 2005 and the low 4.4% in 2023. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 5.5%, and Uzbekistan placed 34th highest of 47. Worldwide: 100th of 174.

What is youth unemployment in Uzbekistan?

The ILO puts unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Uzbekistan at 11.4% in 2025. The peak was 14.5% in 2005 and the low 10.1% in 2007. It is 31st highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 14.2%. World rank, highest first: 93rd of 174.

What is the labour force participation rate in Uzbekistan?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 57.5%. Its high point since 2005 was 2023, at 57.7%; its low point was 2008, at 54.9%. It is 33rd highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 60.3%. World rank, highest first: 121st of 174.

What is female labour force participation in Uzbekistan?

According to the ILO, the labour force participation rate for women in Uzbekistan was 41.2% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 38.4% (2008) to 41.3% (2024). It is 42nd highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 54.6%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 138th highest.

What share of adults in Uzbekistan have a job?

The ILO puts the employment to population ratio in Uzbekistan at 54.8% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 51.7% (2005) to 55.2% (2023). It is 30th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 56.6%. World rank, highest first: 112th of 174.

How many workers in Uzbekistan are self-employed or family workers?

33.3%: that is the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Uzbekistan for 2025, according to the ILO. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 5th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 11.0%. Worldwide: 81st of 174.

What share of workers in Uzbekistan earn a wage or salary?

The ILO puts the share of workers who are paid employees in Uzbekistan at 54.6% in 2025. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 85.5%, and Uzbekistan placed 43rd highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 112th of 174.