Uzbekistan’s Annual Inflation Reaches 7.5% in November

Uzbekistan’s inflation rose to 7.5% in annual terms in November, with prices increasing 0.7% over the month, according to a report by the State Committee on Statistics. Experts estimate that the average monthly price growth was 0.6%, slightly lower than 0.8% recorded in the same month last year.

Regionally, Fergana saw the highest annual inflation at 8%, while Surkhandarya and Syrdarya reported 7.8%. In the capital city, prices rose by 7.3% year-on-year.

The report highlighted notable price changes across sectors. Utilities surged by 17% over the year, food products rose by 5.7%, alcohol and tobacco increased by 6.4%, and healthcare services went up 6.1%.

Fuel prices also climbed, with gasoline up 1.7% in November and 9.2% since the start of the year. Average prices for AI-80 gasoline ranged from 8,500 to 9,800 soums ($0.71 – $0.82) per litre, while AI-95 and AI-98 cost between 12,000 and 18,000 soums ($1-$1.51) per litre.

Other sectors saw increases as well. Transport costs were up 12.1% annually, and restaurant and hotel services rose 9%. Meanwhile, inflation in the finance and insurance sector fell by 1%.

Kursiv also reports that Uzbekistan’s economy continues to show strong performance, according to a mission from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that recently visited the country.