Inflation in Uzbekistan eased significantly in 2025, with the Central Bank projecting an annual rate of around 7.3% by year-end-a marked decline from 9.8% in 2024.
The slowdown is attributed to tighter monetary policies, a stronger exchange rate, and moderating core inflation, The Caspian Post reports, citing Uzbek media.
In December 2025, monthly inflation was reported at approximately 0.9%, contributing to the full-year figure. Overall, prices for goods increased by 5.4%, with food products rising 5.5% and non-food goods up 5.1%. Meanwhile, inflation in the services sector remained elevated at 13.9%, largely due to adjustments in regulated tariffs.
Food prices
Meat prices saw substantial increases, with mutton up 26.8%, boneless beef up 25.0%, and bone-in beef up 23.9%. Cooking oils also rose, including cottonseed oil by 17.7% and sunflower oil by 12.7%. Milk prices increased by 5.7%, while poultry rose between 3.7% and 4.2%.
Vegetables experienced mixed trends: cabbage surged 31.8%, tomatoes 25.1%, cucumbers 16.0%, carrots 10.8%, and eggplants 8.0%. Citrus fruits jumped sharply by 33.6%, with lemons soaring 96.4%.
Conversely, some staples declined: rice fell 16.6%, eggs 14.5%, sugar 4.8%, flour 4.7%, and bell peppers 14.9%.
Fuel and utilities
Utility tariffs contributed heavily to services inflation:
- Piped gas: +39.2%
- Cold water supply and sewerage: +35.1%
- Household waste collection: +32.5%
- Liquefied gas: +25.0%
- Electricity: +18.8%
- Hot water supply: +11.9%
- Heating services: +11.5%
Materials for housing maintenance and repairs rose 5.4%.
Fuel prices showed divergence: methane increased 29.9% and gasoline averaged +11.9%, while propane declined 10.5%.
In December 2025, gasoline prices (per liter) ranged as follows:
- AI-80: UZS 9,500-9,900
- AI-91 and AI-92: UZS 10,500-13,300
- AI-95 and AI-98: UZS 12,500-18,000
- AI-100: UZS 21,000
Transport
Domestic and international airfares rose 21.7%, city bus fares increased 21.1%, and suburban train fares went up 10.1%. Courier services became 18.3% more expensive.
Healthcare
Medicine prices rose an average of 4.6%. Inpatient treatment costs increased 7.6%, outpatient services 6.3%, and other healthcare services 10.0%.
Education
Kindergarten fees rose 17.0%, while foreign language courses and private tutoring increased 6.6%. Tuition fees in higher education remained stable. Driving school fees surged 59%.
Catering and hospitality
Restaurant and hotel services rose 8.6%, with prepared food delivery up 6.3%.
Mobile communications
Mobile service prices increased an average of 15.1%, including a 4.9% rise in December alone.
Household goods and services
This category saw annual growth of 8.2%.
Regional variations
Inflation varied across regions, with the highest rates in the Republic of Karakalpakstan and Fergana region (both 7.7%), followed by Surkhandarya (7.6%) and Khorezm (7.5%). The lowest was in Jizzakh region at 6.7%, with Kashkadarya at 7.0%, and Tashkent and Navoi at 7.1%.
Data sourced from the National Statistics Committee. The 7.3% figure aligns with the Central Bank's revised year-end projection as of late 2025.
