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Average salary in Tajikistan rises by 17.3% year-on-year

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The average monthly nominal salary in Tajikistan reached 3,114.56 somoni (approximately $325) in January 2026, marking a 17.3% increase compared to the same period in 2025, according to the country’s Agency on Statistics.

The minimum wage remains unchanged at 1,000 somoni.

The highest salaries were recorded in the following sectors:

·         financial intermediation and insurance — 7,647.44 somoni;

·         information and communications — 6,072.79 somoni;

·         mining — 4,819.05 somoni;

·         electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply — 4,713.29 somoni;

·         construction — 3,682.08 somoni;

·         transportation and storage — 3,452.95 somoni;

·         manufacturing — 3,019.20 somoni.

The lowest wages were reported in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, at 1,463.32 somoni.

Regionally, the highest salaries are observed in Dushanbe, while the lowest are in Khatlon Province and the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO).

 
Average monthly nominal accrued wages by region of the country (in somoni)

Values (January 2025 → January 2026):

·         Republic of Tajikistan: 2,656.29 → 3,114.56

·         Dushanbe: 3,377.78 → 3,984.53

·         Khatlon Province: 2,210.67 → 2,702.91

·         GBAO: 2,436.23 → 2,713.05

·         Districts Subordinate to the Center (RRP): 2,270.53 → 2,772.61

·         Sughd Province: 2,613.27 → 2,959.01

 

As of the end of January 2026, total wage arrears, including debts from previous years, exceeded 14.5 million somoni (around $1.5 million).

Despite the increase, average wages in Tajikistan remain significantly lower than in other Central Asian countries. In Kazakhstan, the average salary stands at about $1,030, in Uzbekistan at $527, and in Kyrgyzstan at $524.

Data for Turkmenistan are not publicly available.

Tajikistan sets hunting quotas for Red Book species for 2026–2027

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The Government of Tajikistan has approved quotas for regulated hunting of certain species listed in the country’s Red Book for the 2026–2027 period.

The decision was published on the legal information portal of the Ministry of Justice.

According to the document, the following quotas have been established:

·         Marco Polo sheep (Ovis ammon polii) — 132 individuals;

·         Markhor (Capra falconeri) — 24 individuals;

·         Bukhara urial (Ovis aries bochariensis) — 18 individuals;

·         Tien Shan brown bear (Ursus arctos isabellinus) — up to 10 individuals (in cases where they pose a threat to people or cause damage).

The hunting period for Marco Polo sheep, markhor, and urial is set from September 1, 2026, to March 1, 2027.

For the Tien Shan brown bear, the quota applies from September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2027.

Licensing and oversight will be carried out by the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of Tajikistan.

The Customs Service has been tasked with monitoring the import and export of wildlife specimens, ensuring proper permits are in place.

The document also calls for coordination among state institutions, including the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, the State Committee for National Security, the Forestry Agency, the National Academy of Sciences, and local authorities, to ensure proper implementation of the quotas.

In Tajikistan, limited trophy hunting of rare species is permitted under special licenses, with proceeds directed toward environmental protection and the support of protected natural areas.

This year, Eid al-Fitr to be celebrated in Tajikistan on March 20

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This year, the holy month of Ramadan in Tajikistan will last 29 days, and Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated on March 20, according to the Committee on Religion, Regulation of Traditions, Celebrations, and Ceremonies under the Government of Tajikistan

The decision was reportedly adopted by the Council of Ulema (Shuroi Ulamo — Tajikistan’s highest Islamic institution) during a meeting held on March 17.

According to the Council, Eid al-Fitr prayers will begin at 7:30 a.m. in all mosques across the country. The day has been declared a public holiday.

Imam-khatibs have been instructed to emphasize charity, support for those in need, and the importance of avoiding excessive spending during holiday sermons.

They are also tasked with conveying the official congratulatory message of the Council of Ulema to the public.

In recent years, Ramadan in Tajikistan has consistently been observed as a 29-day month, including in 2025.

 

Charitable contributions set for 2026

According to the Council of Ulema, the amounts for Sadaqa al-Fitr and Fidyah have decreased compared to last year, while the nisab threshold for Zakat has increased.

·         Sadaqa al-Fitr (also known as Zakat al-Fitr) is charity given to the poor at the end of the fasting in the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.  The Arabic word Fitr means the same as iftar, breaking a fast, and it comes from the same root word as Futoor which means breakfast. Sadaqa al-Fitr is a duty which is wajib (required) of every Muslim, whether male or female, minor or adult as long as he/she has the means to do so. This amount is reportedly based on an average price for two kilograms of wheat. This year, each Muslim must pay 7.00 somoni as sadaqa al-fitr, which is 1.00 somoni less than in 2025 (8.00 somoni).

·         Fidyah or fidya is religious donation made in Islam when a religious obligation (such as fast for Ramadan) has been missed or broken. Fidyah serves as compensation for when a Muslim was unable to fulfill the obligation for reasons beyond their control. This year, for those unable to fast for valid reasons, the fidya for 30 days is 420.00 somoni (14 somoni per day), which is 60.00 somoni less compared to 2025 (480.00 somoni for 30 days).  

·         Zakat is a form of alms-giving treated in Islam as a religious obligation or tax,] which, by Quranic ranking, is next after prayer (salat) in importance. As one of the Five Pillars of Islam, zakat is a religious obligation for all Muslims who meet the necessary criteria of wealth. It is a mandatory charitable contribution, often considered to be a tax. Zakat is based on income and the value of all of one's possessions.  It is customarily 2.5% (or 1/40) of a Muslim's total savings and wealth above a minimum amount known as nisab, but Islamic scholars differ on how much nisab is and other aspects of zakat.  According to Islamic doctrine, the collected amount should be paid to the poor, the needy. Today, in most Muslim-majority countries, zakat contributions are voluntary, while in a handful (Libya, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Yemen), zakat is mandated and collected by the state. This year, those with savings of 64,000 somoni or more must pay zakat of 1,600.00 somoni. Last year, the savings threshold was 36,900 somoni, and the zakat was 880.00 somoni. Thus, zakat has nearly doubled this year. 

 

Call to support those in need

In its message, the Council of Ulema emphasized the importance of helping those in need and cited a traditional greeting of the Prophet’s companions: “Taqabbalallahu minna wa minkum” (“May Allah accept from us and from you”).

It also noted that one of the Sunnah practices is to delay the Eid prayer slightly to allow time for sadaqa al-fitr reach the poor.

On the day of Eid, people traditionally prepare festive meals and visit one another to exchange greetings.

However, since 2024, the tradition of “idgardak” has been officially prohibited during Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha in Tajikistan.

The law banning “alien garments” and “idgardak” (children's celebrations for two major Islamic holidays — Eid al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha) was signed by President Emomali Rahmon on June 20, 2024. 

Eid al-Fitr is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.  Eid is an Arabic word meaning “festivity”, while Fitr means “to purify”; and so the holiday symbolizes the purification after completing the fasting month, which is after the end of the Islamic month of Ramadan, on the first day of Shawwal.

Eid al-Fitr is one of the major religious holidays that followers of Islam have been observing for centuries.  By closing the holy month of Ramadan, it carries a deep moral meaning, encapsulates the joy of renewal, commitment to self-improvement, readiness to do good and help the needy.

Eid al-Fitr lasts for one day of celebrations and is sometimes also known as the “Smaller Eid": as compared to the Eid al-Adha that lasts three days following the Hajj and is casually referred to as the “Greater Eid.”

On this day, Muslims attend the special Eid prayer (salah).  An obligatory charity is paid to the poor and the needy before performing the ‘Eid prayer by all those adult Muslims who are required to pay Zakat.  Eid prayer is performed in congregation in open areas like fields, squares or at mosques.

After the prayers, people visit their relatives, friends and acquaintances. Gifts are frequently given; it is common for children to be given small sums of money by adult relatives or friends.  It is also common for children to salam parents and adult relatives; they usually get sweeties or money from the adult relatives or friends.

Tajikistan begins implementing CIS agreement on locust control

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Tajikistan is launching the implementation of a CIS agreement on cooperation in preventing and combating locust infestations ahead of the agricultural season.

The document was approved by a government resolution dated February 26, 2026 (No. 60), signed by President Emomali Rahmon.

The agreement was signed on September 29, 2025, in Minsk during a meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of Government. It provides for cooperation among member states in phytosanitary monitoring, preventing locust migration, and coordinating response measures.

The main objective of the agreement is to prevent large-scale locust outbreaks, reduce risks to agricultural crops, and ensure the safety of the population and the environment during control operations.

The Ministry of Agriculture of Tajikistan, together with relevant agencies, has been tasked with taking the necessary steps to implement the agreement.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will notify the CIS Executive Committee upon completion of the domestic procedures required for the agreement to enter into force.

The agreement also involves regular phytosanitary surveys, development of digital monitoring systems, information exchange among CIS countries, forecasting of pest spread, and capacity building for specialists.

Meanwhile, active efforts are already underway in Tajikistan to detect and eliminate locust breeding sites. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, surveys conducted in 2025–2026 identified infestations across more than 120,000 hectares.

To improve efficiency, authorities have begun using unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), which allow for faster monitoring and treatment of hard-to-reach areas.

The Ministry of Agriculture emphasized that timely detection and elimination of locust outbreaks is critical for protecting harvests and ensuring the country’s food security.

Tajikistan needs about $1 Billion annually to tackle climate change

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Tajikistan requires approximately $1 billion annually to implement climate adaptation and emissions reduction projects, officials said at a high-level roundtable that took place in Dushanbe yesterday.

The event focused on the outcomes of the UN Climate Conference COP30 and the preparation of the country’s new national climate plan, NDC 3.0. It was organized by the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of Tajikistan in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The roundtable brought together representatives of government agencies, international organizations, the private sector, civil society, youth, and the expert community.

Opening remarks were delivered by Committee Chairman Bahodour Sheralizoda, UK Ambassador to Tajikistan Katherine Smitton, and UNDP Resident Representative Sudipto Mukerjee.

Zebuniso Mouminzoda, Director of the Tajikistan Office of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC), presented an overview of key decisions adopted at COP30, held in the Brazilian city of Belém.

According to her, the conference reaffirmed the critical role of financing in addressing climate change. Participating countries agreed to scale up support for adaptation projects and to develop a new global climate finance target.

Under the new agreements, countries are expected to mobilize at least $300 billion in public funding annually for climate projects by 2035. Total climate finance from all sources — including public, international, and private investments — is projected to reach $1.3 trillion per year.

The launch of a Loss and Damage Fund was also announced to support countries most affected by climate change impacts. The fund’s first call for proposals will allocate $250 million in grants.

In addition, COP30 introduced the Tropical Forests Forever Facility, aimed at ensuring long-term financing for the protection of tropical forests, and participants agreed to establish a global climate finance transparency system.

Roundtable participants emphasized that Tajikistan needs around $1 billion annually to meet its climate commitments. Currently, the country attracts approximately $150–300 million per year, making expanded access to international climate finance a key priority.

The meeting also addressed the development of NDC 3.0, Tajikistan’s participation in international climate negotiations, and opportunities to attract green investments.

Participants noted that the roundtable served as an important platform for dialogue and for developing recommendations to strengthen cooperation between government institutions, international organizations, and the private sector in order to enhance the country’s climate resilience.

Nearly 30 Cultural Heritage Protection Projects Launched by the European Union and ALIPH in Central Asia

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The European Union and the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage (ALIPH) have launched 29 cultural heritage projects across Central Asia aimed at safeguarding endangered tangible and intangible heritage threatened by climate change.

According to a press release from the European Union Delegation to Tajikistan, the projects were selected following a highly competitive call that attracted 233 applications. The initiative has a total budget of €1.5 million, including €1.1 million provided by the European Union, with the remaining funds contributed by ALIPH.

The projects will be implemented in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

The initiative focuses on both historic sites and living cultural traditions, combining conservation, documentation, skills development, and economic empowerment. Planned interventions include the protection of significant heritage sites such as the UNESCO World Heritage site of Sarazm in Tajikistan, the Ak-Saray Palace and the Kayrit Oasis in Uzbekistan, and the Dandanakan Mosque in Turkmenistan.

Several projects will also support museums through restoration work and professional training. These efforts will involve institutions such as the Kasteyev Museum in Almaty, the National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan, and two museums in Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan — the Savitsky Museum in Nukus and the Ecological Museum in Muynak, which preserves the heritage of the Aral Sea region.

The program will also fund the restoration of paintings from the Romanov Palace collection in Tashkent. In addition, regional initiatives on conservation and climate-resilient restoration practices, along with a museology forum in Astana, will facilitate knowledge exchange among museum professionals across Central Asia.

Beyond physical heritage, several projects will focus on preserving intangible cultural traditions. These include documenting nomadic and mountain cultural practices, preserving epic poetry, and revitalizing traditional games and music in Kyrgyzstan. In Uzbekistan, sustainable silk and ikat production will be supported through the restoration of natural dyeing techniques and the transfer of traditional knowledge.

Creative industries will also receive support through training programs for artisans and entrepreneurs in fields such as felt-making, suzani embroidery, ceramics, wall painting, and the digitization of ornamental traditions. Particular attention will be given to engaging young people and supporting returnee communities.

“The European Union is pleased to expand its partnership with ALIPH. Our cooperation is grounded in concrete action and innovative approaches to safeguarding cultural heritage at risk, recognizing its role as an enabler of peace and security,” said Peter Wagner, Director and Head of the Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI) at the European Commission.

Valéry Freland, Executive Director of ALIPH, said the initiative would strengthen efforts to protect cultural heritage from the impacts of climate change while expanding the organization’s work in Central Asia.

“Thanks to the support of the European Union, we will be able to work with local heritage professionals to help creative industries and traditional crafts adapt to the challenges posed by climate change,” he said.

ALIPH is a global fund dedicated to protecting cultural heritage in conflict, post-conflict, and crisis areas. The organization supports professionals working on the ground to safeguard or restore museums, heritage sites, monuments, and intangible cultural traditions in challenging environments.

Founded in Geneva in 2017, ALIPH has supported around 600 projects in 64 countries. The foundation’s work is funded by nine member states — the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Morocco, France, China, Luxembourg, Cyprus, and Uzbekistan — as well as private partners including Dr. Thomas S. Kaplan, the Getty Trust, and the Fondation Gandur pour l’Art, along with several other donors.

Asia-Plus launches chatbot on digital safety

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Asia-Plus Media Group has launched a chatbot focused on digital safety as part of its “Zireh” information campaign, aimed at helping users navigate crisis situations in the online environment.

The tool is designed for a wide audience, including teenagers, parents, and teachers.

Amid the rapid development of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, online threats — ranging from cyberbullying to fraud — are becoming more widespread. In this context, knowing how to respond correctly is increasingly important.

The newly launched chatbot is intended to guide users through such situations. It is currently available in Russian, with a Tajik-language version expected soon. The service operates via Telegram.

 

A support and guidance tool

The “Zireh” chatbot is a multi-level system providing both digital and psychological support on issues of safety, personal boundaries, and online behavior.

Rather than offering simple answers, the chatbot provides structured guidance through real-life crisis scenarios faced by families and schools in Tajikistan.

It includes tailored content for three main groups:

·         teenagers

·         parents

·         teachers

Each topic is presented through a series of 4–5 cards, gradually guiding users from emotional response to practical action and awareness of their rights. In total, the chatbot includes more than 150 thematic modules developed with input from a psychologist.

 

How it works

Users can select their role — teenager, parent, or teacher — and describe their situation, for example: “I am being blackmailed online.”

The chatbot then provides step-by-step recommendations on what actions to take, how to protect oneself, and where to seek help.

 

Practical and psychological support

According to the developers, the chatbot offers several key advantages. It:

·         provides clear, actionable guidance;

·         addresses users’ emotional state and helps reduce panic;

·         is based on real cases from Tajikistan, including media reports and official statistics;

·         explains legal aspects without intimidation;

·         improves digital literacy by explaining how online platforms and security tools work;

·         serves a preventive function by helping users avoid crisis situations.

 

Useful for teenagers, parents, and schools

For teenagers, the chatbot offers support, helping them feel less isolated, understand their rights, and seek help in time.

For parents, it serves as a practical guide, helping them recognize signs of bullying, aggression, and blackmail, and communicate effectively with their children.

The chatbot can also be used in schools as a preventive tool, helping educators respond to crises, promote a safe learning environment, and reduce the risk of repeated conflicts.

Fears of Iranian refugee influx grow in Central Asia as war intensifies

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Two weeks of U.S.-Israeli air strikes on Iran have displaced millions of people inside the country, raising concerns among neighboring states about a potential refugee spillover that could develop into a humanitarian crisis, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) reported on March 15.

RFE/RL says that according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), up to 3.2 million people have been temporarily displaced within Iran, most of them fleeing the capital, Tehran. The city experienced one of the heaviest bombardments of the conflict on March 13.

Several neighboring countries reportedly closed their borders when the air strikes began on February 28, allowing only limited crossings—mainly for citizens of third countries transiting home.

With many of Iran’s 90 million residents weighing whether to flee the country, Mahir Safarli, UNHCR’s representative for Central Asia, said the agency is preparing for a possible escalation of the humanitarian situation.

“Across Central Asia, we are coordinating closely with governments to monitor the situation and respond effectively if humanitarian needs expand,” Safarli said.

For now, the UNHCR says the refugee flow remains manageable.  

 

Humanitarian preparations in Central Asia

Safarli said a key element of the UNHCR’s preparedness is a logistics hub in Termez, southern Uzbekistan, near the Afghan border.

Established in October 2021 during the Afghanistan humanitarian crisis and integrated into UNHCR’s global stockpile network in 2025, the hub stores emergency supplies such as tents, blankets, sleeping mats, kitchen sets, buckets, jerry cans, and solar lamps for potential refugee operations in the region.

 

Turkmenistan tightens border controls

Although UNHCR has not reported major changes along the Iran–Turkmenistan border, Turkmen officials told RFE/RL that attempts by Iranian Turkmens to cross into Turkmenistan have increased.

Iran shares a 1,148-kilometer border with Turkmenistan. The four main crossings—Sarakhs, Artyk, Howdan, and Altyn Asyr—remain operational but are currently open only for evacuating third-country nationals.

Turkmen officials say people approaching the border mainly come from northern Iranian districts with large Turkmen populations.

However, authorities in Ashgabat have ordered that Iranian citizens not be allowed to enter.

“Our patrols have been reinforced, and drones are monitoring the border,” the official said, adding that Turkmenistan lacks the economic capacity to host refugees.

 

Internal displacement in Iran

The United Nations says most displaced Iranians are moving northward, away from areas experiencing heavy bombardment. Many families are staying with relatives or in temporary community shelters.

The influx of displaced people has increased demand for food in northern regions, where residents report sharp price rises for staples such as flour, rice, and cooking oil, with some items costing up to ten times more than before the conflict.

For now, most displaced people remain inside Iran. However, Safarli emphasized that neighboring states have obligations if refugees begin arriving.

“In Central Asia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan all have refugee legislation and asylum systems,” he said. “UNHCR calls on states to allow access to territory for people seeking international protection and to ensure their rights and safety.” 

Two children removed from their parents in Dushanbe over begging

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Two 12-year-old children have been removed from their parents in Dushanbe’s Sino district by court order and placed in Boarding School No. 1, the city’s Police Department reported.

According to police, the children had repeatedly been taken into custody for vagrancy and begging.

“Despite strict warnings, the parents continued to show negligence and involved the children in begging, using the money obtained for personal purposes,” the statement said.

ИЗОБРАЖЕНИЕ Photo: Dushanbe police

Measures provided for Article 73 of Tajikistan’s Family Code were applied to the parents. The children are currently in a boarding school, where they are provided with conditions for education, upbringing, and further development.

Earlier, police in Dushanbe’s Shohmansour district also detained a 16-year-old подросток engaged in vagrancy and suspected of theft.

Authorities said the situation resulted from a lack of proper parental supervision and responsibility. Similar measures under Article 73 — which allows for the removal of a child without termination of parental rights — were applied.

The teenager has been sent to a specialized vocational lyceum in Dushanbe, where he is now participating in educational and rehabilitation programs. 

Former head of Sughd regional health department released after paying fine in bribery case

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Farrukh Maksoudzoda, the former head of the Sughd regional health department who had been detained on suspicion of bribery, has been released after paying a 300,000 somoni fine, according to Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service, known locally as Radio Ozodi.

According to the report, Maksoudzoda spent about three months in pre-trial detention facility. A representative of the Sughd Regional Court, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the outlet on March 16 that the decision to release him had been made on March 6.

“Taking into account the time he spent in custody, the court imposed a fine of 300,000 somoni. After the damage was compensated, the punishment was limited to a fine and he was released from custody,” the source said.

In a brief phone conversation with journalists, Maksoudzoda confirmed his release, but declined to provide further details. He only noted that he agrees with the court’s decision and plans to begin working at a private clinic in the coming days.

Authorities have not yet officially commented on the release of the former regional health official.

Maksoudzoda’s detention became known in late December 2025, although officials initially declined to comment on the case. Later, Health Minister Jamoliddin Abdullozoda confirmed the arrest, stating that it could be related to the official’s “personal activities.”

The head of the Khujand City Court, Dilovar Mirzohomidzoda, said at a press conference on February 11 that criminal proceedings had been instituted against Maksoudzoda under Article 319 (1) of Tajikistan’s Criminal Code — accepting a bribe.  Mirzohomidzoda did not specify the alleged amount or circumstances.

According to the court, Maksoudzoda was arrested on December 17, 2025.

Under this article, he faced a potential fine ranging from 284,700 to 711,750 somoni or up to five years in prison.

Maksoudzoda was appointed head of the Sughd regional health department in summer 2025. Before that, he served as chief physician of the regional hospital.

 

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