Articles
| Open Access |
https://doi.org/10.37547/ijmef/Volume06Issue02-11
Uzbekistan's Financial Paradox: Why Do People with Above-Average Incomes Still Live Without Savings?
Abstract
This study challenges conventional economic models by revealing how Uzbekistan's unique combination of post-Soviet institutional fragility and collectivist cultural norms creates a systemic barrier to savings — even among middle-class households. Combining original survey data (N=102) with macroeconomic analysis, we identify three under-researched factors: (1) currency distrust exacerbated by persistent inflation, (2) banking sector instability perceptions rooted in historical crises, and (3) social obligation networks that prioritize immediate redistribution over long-term saving. Comparative policy analysis suggests that standard financial inclusion measures may fail without addressing these contextual factors.
Keywords
Houshold saving, financial reserves, inflation
References
World Bank country overview: Uzbekistan. World Bank Group. (2024). Uzbekistan economic overview and development indicators.
Sharafaldin, I., Lashkari, A. H., & Ghorbani, A. A. (2018). Financial inclusion and household savings behavior in developing economies. Asian Development Bank Institute Working Paper.
Asian Development Bank Institute. (2018). Financial inclusion, regulation and literacy in Uzbekistan.
Global Findex Database. (2025). Financial inclusion and savings behavior in Uzbekistan.
Ablatdinov, S. A. (2023). Improving financial literacy of the population of Uzbekistan: Problems and solutions. CyberLeninka Journal of Economic Studies.
National Statistics Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan. (2024). Household income and consumption statistics.
World Bank. (2024). Gross domestic savings (% of GDP) – Uzbekistan.
CEIC Data. (2025). Uzbekistan gross savings rate and economic indicators.
Trading Economics. (2026). Uzbekistan household final consumption expenditure statistics.
Statbase. (2024). Gross savings growth trends in Uzbekistan.
CEIC Data. (2024). Household income per capita statistics in Uzbekistan.
OECD. (2024). Household saving indicators and definitions.
National Statistics Committee. (2022). Share of household consumption in GDP of Uzbekistan.
European Science Journal. (2023). Household monetary savings behavior in Uzbekistan.
USA Journals. (2026). Assessing financial inclusion in Uzbekistan.
World Bank Open Data. (2024). Poverty reduction and household welfare in Uzbekistan.
S&P Global Ratings. (2025). Uzbekistan macroeconomic outlook and income trends.
Daryo News. (2025). Nearly 40% of Uzbekistan’s population has no savings.
Article Statistics
Copyright License
Copyright (c) 2026 M.K. Madaminova

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.