A study by the Agency for Statistics under the President of Tajikistan revealed that household expenses consistently outpace income. In 2023, the average per capita income was 920 somonis, while expenses slightly exceeded this figure at 1,105 somonis. Eight years ago, the situation was different, with income surpassing expenses by around 30 somonis per person per month.
More expenses, less income
The Agency for Statistics under the President of Tajikistan published the results of a 2023 household budget survey, showing that over the last eight years, gross household income per capita more than doubled, increasing 2.6 times. In 2016, average income per person was 351.14 somonis per month, while by 2023, it reached 920.83 somonis. Cash income includes salaries, income from individual activities, social transfers, earnings from sales, interest on deposits, securities, and more.
Where does the money come from?
In 2023, labor income amounted to 358.52 somonis per family member, which is 38.9% of total household income per person. In 2016, salaries accounted for 46.7% of total income. Over this period, people reduced their reliance on wages by over 7%, finding other sources of income, such as personal farming, real estate sales, and interest from deposits and securities, including remittances. Additionally, pension and benefit income increased by 1.5%, rising from 6.3% in 2016 to 7.8% of total household income by the end of 2023.
Notably, households also saw an increase in income from personal farming, with earnings from gardens growing from 43.84 somonis to 136.69 somonis per person per month. The official minimum wage in Tajikistan in 2023 was 600.00 somonis (now 800.00 somonis), and the average salary was 2,108 somonis (now 2,569 somonis).
Half of income spent on food
In 2023, more than 47% of the population's income was spent on food (522 somonis). Non-food items accounted for 38% (423 somonis), while the remaining 15% went toward services, including transport and utilities. Notably, urban residents spent 52% of their income on food and 33% on non-food items. Compared to 2016, spending on food has decreased, indicating that Tajiks either eat less or rely more on homegrown produce. In 2016, households spent around 55% of their income on food each month per person, while non-food expenses increased by 15%.
The largest share of food expenses is spent on bread (31%) and meat products (21%). Among non-food items, people spend the most on clothing and footwear (24%), followed by other goods (21%), fuel (15%), and construction materials (11%). Over the past eight years, spending on services has nearly quadrupled, growing 3.8 times—from 38.75 somonis in 2016 to 146.62 somonis per person in 2023.
Service expenditures
The most significant service costs are personal services (27%), utilities, including electricity (25%), transport (17%), and communications (12%). Compared to 2016, there has been a sharp increase in spending on personal services (38 times higher), cultural services (10 times), preschool institutions (16%), and communication (11%).
Growing demand for meat, eggs, and vegetables
Vegetable consumption has surged over the last eight years. In 2016, the average person consumed 79.7 kg of vegetables per year, which increased to 118.2 kg by 2023. Experts attribute this to an increase in home canning and preservation.
Expenditure on meat and meat products also rose 46% in 2023, with monthly spending per capita at 113.12 somonis, compared to 22.47 somonis in 2016. Meat consumption per capita increased from 14.7 kg in 2016 to 24.2 kg in 2023. According to the study, urban residents consume more meat—30.1 kg per person per year, compared to 20.3 kg for rural residents. The recommended meat consumption in Tajikistan is 40.8 kg per person. Consumption of eggs has also grown, with the average person consuming 138 eggs in 2023 compared to 64 in 2016.
Financial literacy is lagging
Many people complain that their earnings do not cover their expenses, with high prices for goods and services being a major issue for most families. At the same time, experts believe irrational spending and poor money management contribute to financial struggles. The cost of products, utilities, transport, healthcare, and education continues to rise. In such conditions, people often fail to save money, spending it on non-essential items. In rural areas, significant amounts are spent on organizing and attending family events such as weddings, memorials, and pilgrimages, with obligatory gifts, causing many families to economize on food and clothing to cover these costs.
