In 2024, inflation in Uzbekistan stood at 9.8%, the Agency of Statistics under the president announced.
This is slightly higher than the initial (8−9%) and updated (9.5%) forecasts of the Central Bank. The rate is above the 2023 inflation figure (8.77%), but lower than in 2022 (12.25%) and 2021 (9.98%).
In December, prices rose by 1.04% — the lowest figure in at least the past five years.
Food prices last month increased by an average of 1.8% (with an annual growth of 2.4%). Non-food items rose by 0.7% (7.7%), and the cost of paid services grew by 0.4% (26.7%).
The main price increases in December (excluding fruits and vegetables) were seen in food products such as eggs (+19.5%), cottonseed oil (+9.2%) and sunflower oil (+6.1%).
The upper price range for eggs in December fluctuated between 19,000 and 24,000 soums per ten. Among staple foods in 2024, vegetable oils (+14.8%) and meat (13.3−14.6%) saw the most significant price increases, the agency noted.
The following price decreases were recorded in December: rice (2.3−2.4%), first-grade wheat flour (-1.3%), buckwheat (-0.8%) and granulated sugar (-0.7%). Over the year, products such as buckwheat (-9.6%), rice and rice groats (-6.3%), eggs (-7.3%), first-grade wheat flour (-5.7%) and granulated sugar (-3.7%) became cheaper.
Last month, fresh milk rose in price by 1.6% (6% for the year), kefir by 0.4% (6.6%) and fish by 1.6% (6.8%).
In December, cucumber prices rose by 52.7%, bell peppers by 46.5%, eggplants by 27.7%, tomatoes by 22.4%, potatoes by 6.3%, cabbage by 6% and onions by 5.7%.
Year-on-year, potato prices increased by 39.9%, carrots by 18.3% and onions by 2.2%.
According to the Agency of Statistics, beets became 4.1% cheaper, carrots 4.3% and bananas 13.5%.
Alcohol prices in December rose by 0.5% (10% for the year), while tobacco prices increased by 0.5% (+11.8%).
Clothing prices for 2024 increased slightly more than footwear — 5.1% versus 4.8%.
In December, an increase in hot water supply and heating charges was recorded in Kashkadarya region. Tariffs for other utilities remained stable throughout the month.
Tarrifs on gas on average became 2.3 times more expensive, electricity nearly 1.7 times, waste disposal by 54.7%, heating by 36% and hot water by 32.1%, the statement said.
Medicine prices increased by 26.2% for the year, including antibiotics by 28.5% and medical laboratory services by 14.5%.
In December, a decrease in prices for automotive gas was recorded. The price of propane decreased by 10.3%, but rose by 30.9% for the year. Gasoline prices fell by 0.7% for the month, but increased by 5.9% for the year.
Propane prices fluctuated between 6,000 and 7,200 soums per liter. Gasoline prices ranged from 6,900 to 8,500 soums per liter for AI-80 grade and reached up to 13,000 soums for AI-95 grade.
Methane prices increased by 21% for the year.
The train fares increased by an average of 12.6% for the year (suburban trains by 40.1%), taxi fares by 12.2% and airplane fares by 1.2%.
The cost of public kindergartens rose by 20% for the month, private kindergartens by 12.3%, public universities by 15.1% and private universities by 0.5%. Tutoring services became 16% more expensive.
Cafe prices increased by 12.3% for the year, dining halls and snack bars by 11.4%, hotels by 18.9% and leisure centers by 16.5%.
Fees for money transfers rose by 4.2% for the year.
Wedding rings made of precious metals became 26.8% more expensive over the year.
