Municipal price inflation rose to its highest in 14 months

The Central Bank's survey conducted at the end of May 2026 revealed a quite interesting and contradictory picture. Zamin.uz reported on this.

On one hand, there is a downward trend in the overall inflationary expectations of the population and businesses. However, on the other hand, concerns over prices in the utility sector, which directly affect people's pockets, have reached their highest level in the last 14 months.

Exactly 59 percent of respondents identified this factor as the primary risk. Against the backdrop of a general decline, opposite sentiments regarding price increases remain high in certain regions and social strata.

The overall expectation level of the population stands at 10.1 percent, showing a relative decrease. The overall expectation for businesses is around 10.0 percent, as entrepreneurs hope for stability in their plans.

The expectations of Tashkent city residents are 12.0 percent, as the higher cost of living in the capital influences this indicator. Among pensioners, this figure reaches 12.6 percent, as this group is considered the most sensitive and concerned about price increases.

The expectation level for businesses in the Jizzakh region is 11.9 percent, with the most contrary views among entrepreneurs observed in this region. What is worrying our fellow citizens and businesses?

There are key pressure factors mentioned most frequently by respondents that could undermine economic stability. Problems in the utility sector hold a special place.

Here, the issue is not only the increase in tariffs but also the fact that the quality of services provided remains poor. Interruptions in electricity, gas, and water supply are worrying both the population and businesses.

Chain reaction factors also hold great significance. The rising cost of fuel, energy resources, and transport expenses drags up the prices of other products and services in the market in a chain.

Artificiality in the domestic market is also viewed as a separate problem. In some sectors, the influence of monopolies has strengthened, and attempts to unjustifiably increase prices in the markets are being observed.

Combined, all these factors cause concerns to persist in certain categories and regions, despite the overall decline in inflationary expectations.