



































International Journal of Biological Engineering and Agriculture


American Journal of Science and  

Learning for Development 
 

Volume 1 | No 1 | Nov-2022 

 

 

 
Published by inter-publishing.com  |  All rights reserved. © 2022 
Journal Homepage: https://inter-publishing.com/index.php/IJISE    

Page 23 

 

 

 
Stratification of the Population of Uzbekistan in the Late Xx - Early 

Xxi Centuries 

 
 

Shavkat Rakhmatullaev 
 

 
Candidate of Historical Sciences, Senior Researcher, Scientific Secretary of the Institute of State and 

Law of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan 
  
  
 

Abstract: By the end of XX century to researchers – social scientists have accumulated a wealth of 

methodological tools and terminological apparatus for characterizing the processes of stratification 

in modern societies. However, with regard to Uzbekistan studies of this kind are in the initial stage . 

This is due to a number of factors relating to, first, the terms of humanitarian development, including 

historical and social science, and secondly, the complexity of the problems of the modern guest 

transit period. 

 

 
  
Meanwhile, the formation of the market environment and the occurrence of the global economic 

space motivate the importance of studying the transformation processes in the social structure of the 

population in terms of the sovereign development. As part of this article examines changes in 

financial position and income levels of Uzbekistan, characterized by mixed stratification processes 

transit period. To carry out such studies, in our opinion, the most preferred is the analysis of changes 

revenue potential of the population, most objective adequately reflect changes in the social structure 

that occurred and are occurring in the country in the post-Soviet period. In this case, despite the 

complexity of the definition of an indicator or set of indicators that would be most appropriate to the 

actual financial position of the individual layers, groups, income potential can serve as the basis for 

the relative isolation of groups on the basis of: the poor - middle income - the rich. Following the 

formal logic, they can be represented social group, located at the yield sign in a hierarchical axis of 

the standard of living and consumption
1
. 

The roots of modern stratification processes 

Transformation of the social structure of the population of Uzbekistan (in particular, its separation) at 

the end of XX - beginning of XXI century is influenced by the complex processes associated with 

the transitional phase of development of society, the national economy, in particular. If we start from 

the definition of economists that "transition is an economy in which there is a relatively long process 

of disintegration of the old economic system and the formation of the elements of a new economic 

order"
2
, modern transition state of Uzbekistan's economy is not a unique phenomenon, and 

stratification changes are caused by a process of natural. 

The above is based on the most common data definitions among economists transitional stage of 

social development. One group of economists to classify stages of social development and evaluation 

                                                                 
2.1 1

 O kriteriyax i metodax issledovaniya bolee podrobno sm.: Raxmatullaev Sh.M. Sovremenno'e metodo' i 

kriterii v izuchenii zkonomicheskoy stratifikatsii obhestva: vopros statusa srednego klassa Uzbekistana // Istoricheskaya 

nauka v kontekste intellektualnogo razvitiya Tsentralnoy Azii (ocherki istoriografii i istochnikovedeniya) / otv. red. d.i.n. 

D.A. Alimova… – T., 2014. S. 71-77. 

2.1 2
 http://studlib.com/content/view/3137/44/ 



 

American Journal of Science and  Learning for Development Volume 1, No 1|    
Nov - 2022 

 

 
Published by inter-publishing.com  |  All rights reserved. © 2022 
Journal Homepage: http://inter-publishing.com/index.php/AJSLD    

Page 24 

 

stages of the economic system, takes as its basis a factor. In line with this, they are divided on the 

agrarian society (where the crucial role played by land, farmland), industrial (real capital), 

postindustrial (human capital, information). Another group (for example, Marx and his followers), 

use the category of "mode of production". On the basis of this approach was extended, in particular 

well-known theory of successive socio-economic formations (primitive communal, slave, feudal, 

capitalist, communist, with its first phase - socialism). Since the second half of XX century was 

becoming more common so-called civilization criterion when scientists in assessing the transition 

states are considering the totality of elements of material and spiritual culture of society (and not just 

factors of production). Accordingly, "the most widespread among economists has three fixing such 

critical states of society as traditional (pre-market economy), the market economy and the economy 

of post-industrial society"
3
. In each of which is allocated leading social groups, respectively: 

landowners, owners of capital, highly skilled workers with the advanced system requirements. 

Controversy with extendable economists theories associated with historical overtones and economic 

context of the problem. For our study, the priority is not contesting the findings of the leading strata 

and social groups at one or another stage of development of society, and themselves and 

prerequisites transitions, transformation processes that influenced the formation of new or existing 

fading social strata in Uzbekistan. 

Compared with other countries (Eastern Europe, western and central part of the USSR) unprepared 

"jump" from one (pre-capitalist agrarian) stage of social development in a completely different, 

driven by utopian ideas, ignoring another (market) stage and the natural course of development for 

the people of Uzbekistan unexpected burden proved doubly complicating the return on the 

evolutionary path. It should be noted that Russian expansion (including its negative components 

associated with the traditional relationship of the colony and the metropolis), in the late XIX - early 

XX century paved the way for the development of trade and market relations mainly in urban and 

agricultural areas of Central Asia, to begin forming new social strata typical for this stage of 

development. Thus, according to the experts "in coverage of commodity-money, cattle market bonds 

significantly inferior to the agricultural complex... This is explained by the fact that the production of 

cotton... almost completely took the form of goods and dispose of the market. And this market is the 

transformation of Russian Turkestan in the periphery of the capitalist economy became more 

capacious"
4
, which in turn "... contributed to the rapid transformation of natural farmer facilities in 

commodity and cause a number of features in land relations and the internal structure of the village. 

In the early twentieth century. it increased social differentiation, strengthened middle peasants, their 

number has grown significantly, from wealthy farmers began to form a new social group - bai"
5
. 

Gradually to commodity-market economy began to join local artisans and craftsmen, rather solid 

niche in economic relations took stratum consisting of people engaged in trade, of which at the 

beginning of the twentieth century. Grew larger local merchants millionaires - the so-called 

commercial and industrial bourgeoisie. This meant that the province was relatively rapid process of 

formation and development of market relations (with local flavors) classic design, characteristic of 

XVII-XIX centuries. 

But social disasters that befell the Russian Empire in the early XX century, and forced transition to 

the planned economy of the Soviet type, negative impact on the socio-psychological state of the 

population (in the mind), including Uzbekistan. Not having deep enough to "taste" some elements of 

the classic design of market relations and encode it at the genetic level, the population was subjected 

to experiments forming egalitarian society with a strong ideological bias, and as a result, lost the rich 

social heritage which it has accumulated before the events in 1917 C On the other hand, we must 

recognize that socialism virtually unable to create a society with equal rights and material prosperity. 

Moreover, the difference between rich and poor had, and every year, albeit without express 

symptoms increased, for example, did not experience any material difficulties the party 
                                                                 
2.1 3

 Sm.: Tam je. 

2.1 4
 Istoriya Kazaxstana i Tsentralnoy Azii: Ucheb. posobie / Abuseitova M.X. i dr. – Almato', 2001. – S. 409. 

2.1 5
 Maxkamova N.R. Sotsialnaya struktura obhestva na territorii Uzbekistana: traditsii i transformatsii (konets 

XIX v – 30-e godo' XX v.): Avtorref... dokt. ist. nauk. – Tashkent, 2011. – S. 19. 



 

American Journal of Science and  Learning for Development Volume 1, No 1|    
Nov - 2022 

 

 
Published by inter-publishing.com  |  All rights reserved. © 2022 
Journal Homepage: http://inter-publishing.com/index.php/AJSLD    

Page 25 

 

nomenklatura, leaders of the Soviet state apparatus, as well as to hide their income underground 

entrepreneurs, etc. 

Lack of historical practice a particularly negative impact on the socio-demographic development of 

the country during the Soviet period. By the end of the Soviet era Uzbekistan was in the grip of the 

so-called "Malthusian trap"
6
 - the impact of high population growth and a significant proportion of 

disabled people on the welfare of society. Thus, according to experts, in 1985-1990. population 

growth absorbs 70% of the growth of the national income
7
. Although the theory of Malthus still 

fiercely criticized by his contemporaries (in terms of the fact that with the growth of living standards, 

improvement of material living conditions are subject to changes in demographic processes affecting 

the fertility decline)
8
, in Uzbekistan it has acquired specific coloring and for the republic was 

regularity, especially in 60-80 years of XX century. This pattern was determined by lack of 

motivation to productive activities, "feudal-socialist" thinking, to form the population of Uzbekistan 

during the 70 years of "socialist construction." This is as a consequence of a negative impact on 

demographic processes in the country, has become one of the main reasons for the decline of living 

standards (particularly in rural areas). 

According to Western sociologists in the democratic society, people are born with equal rights, but 

with different needs and abilities to work effectively. People capable, enthusiastic, talented in every 

society about 5% (according to other sources up to 10%)
9
. Accessibility needs and abilities, 

dependency in modern societies, according to the same estimates, about 25%. Other members of 

society are dispersed between these poles
10

. It is clear that, having different capabilities and needs, 

individuals make different social choice, and in terms of "building communism", where there was no 

particular economic interest and proclaimed "egalitarianism" pandemic in social development has 

resulted in the dominance of the population dependent moods. 

Standard of living and social structure of the population in the late 1980s - early 1990s. 

It is well known that for many decades, the former Soviet Union formed "triad" of social division, 

the characteristic matrix of the socialist structure of society (the working class - the peasantry - the 

intelligentsia), subsequently served as a potential base for the polarization of society in terms of 

market reforms. Meanwhile, this division can be considered more illusory, does not reflect the reality 

of living standards and material wealth of the population, both in Uzbekistan and in the country as a 

whole
11

. In each stratum could attend at least three layers (rich-poor-average) is distributed in living 

standards and incomes. 

Due to objective and subjective reasons associated with the collapse of the former Soviet Union and 

the disintegration of economic space, the representatives of the "triad" in large part been sidelined 

                                                                 
2.1 6

 Teoriya, vo'dvinutaya odnim iz teoretikov klassicheskoy zkonomicheskoy shkolo' – Tomasom Maltusom 

(1766-1834 gg.) v svoey knige «Opo't o zakone narodonaseleniya». 

2.1 7
 Yusupov Yu.B. Stanovlenie i razvitie zkonomicheskoy nauki. Kurs lektsiy po istorii zkonomicheskoy mo'sli s 

drevneyshix vremen do kontsa 80-x gg. XX veka. – T., 1999. – S. 64. 

2.1 8
 Sm.: Yadgarov Ya.S. Istoriya zkonomicheskix ucheniy. Uchebnik dlya vuzov. – M., 1997. – S. 84-91.; 

Bertenev S.A. Istoriya zkonomicheskix ucheniy v voprosax i otvetax: Uchebno-metodicheskoe posobie. – M., 1998. – S. 

50-51.; Yusupov Yu.B. Stanovlenie i razvitie zkonomicheskoy nauki… S. 59-64.; i dr. 

2.1 9
 «Psixologi opredelyayut kolichestvennuyu granitsu sposobnostey k predprinimatelstvu po rasprostraneniyu 

ztogo sotsialnogo fenomena sredi naseleniya. Zta otsenka ne prevo'shaet 10%, to est ne bolee 10% naseleniya imeet 

ob'ektivno'e danno'e dlya zanyatiya predprinimatelskoy deyatelnostyu». Istochnik: Sharifullina T. Sistemno'y podxod k 

analizu, prognozu predprinimatelskoy deyatelnosti i kadrovomu obespecheniyu // Zkonomika i klass sobstvennikov. T., 

2003. № 4. S. 9. 

2.1 10
 Starushenko G. B. Obhestvenno'y stroy: kakoy on u nas mojet bo't? // Sotsiologicheskie issledovaniya. M., 

1992. № 12. S. 85. 

2.1 11
 Dlya xarakteristiki stratifikatsionno'x sistem primenitelno k sovetskoy obhestvu rossiyskie sotsiologi Radaev 

V. V., Shkaratan O. I. schitayut, chto «printsipialnuyu sterjnevuyu rol v nem,… igraet ztakraticheskaya sistema» (rangi 

vo vlastnoy ierarxii). Zto ob'yasnyaetsya tem, chto iz-za vo'sokoy stepeni ogosudarstvleniya sobstvennosti i 

proniknoveniya vo vse sfero' obhestvennoy jizni uvelichivaet vozmojnosti i sotsialnoe polojenie tex sotsialno'x grupp 

kotoro'e naxodyatsya blije k kormilu gosudarstvennoy vlasti. Istochnik: Radaev V. V., Shkaratan O. I. Sotsialnaya 

stratifikatsiya: Ucheb. posobie. – M., 1996. S. 58-59. 



 

American Journal of Science and  Learning for Development Volume 1, No 1|    
Nov - 2022 

 

 
Published by inter-publishing.com  |  All rights reserved. © 2022 
Journal Homepage: http://inter-publishing.com/index.php/AJSLD    

Page 26 

 

social change, and their material prosperity, as well as the economic situation has deteriorated. 

Naturally, this process affected, and Uzbekistan, where the transformation of the social structure 

proceeds with its own characteristics. 

Statistical materials of the Soviet period indicate that the standard of living and material prosperity of 

the population of Uzbekistan, as well as many other socio-economic indicators, compared to the 

European part of the former Soviet Union, were significantly lower throughout the existence of the 

USSR. It should be noted that in the absence of private property and statistics features of the period, 

one of the main criteria of the standard of living and income security of the population was of 

durable goods, although in terms of egalitarianism and income had little importance. Comparative 

data are presented in Table. 1-3. 

Provision of the population of durable goods (End of year) units. 

Durable goods Per 100 families Per 1000 people 

 

1985 1990 1991 1992 1993 1985 1990 1991 1992 1993 

USSR Uzbeki

stan 

USSR Uzbeki

stan 

 

Watches 508 565 496 539 497 451 960 1701 907 963 904 820 

Radios 101 96 95 97 89 82 188 290 173 172 161 148 

TVs 86 107 90 87 79 72 159 321 164 156 144 130 

Tape recorders 33 55 49 51 47 43 60 165 89 91 85 79 

Cameras 23 33 21 23 22 21 43 100 38 41 40 38 

Refrigerators and 

freezers 

80 92 80 78 73 68 150 276 150 140 132 123 

Washers 57 75 67 68 63 58 106 226 123 121 114 106 

Vacuum cleaners 20 48 29 30 28 26 37 143 53 53 50 47 

Motorcycles and 

scooters 

19 20 26 22 20 18 34 60 47 40 36 32 

Bicycles and 

mopeds 

100 59 97 97 86 77 185 179 168 174 157 139 

Sewing Machines 78 61 76 76 71 66 147 179 144 136 129 120 
 

Note: Calculated based on the data in figures of the USSR in 1990, a brief article. compilation. M., 

1991. S. 199, The Economy of the Uzbek SSR in 1990 Stat. Yearbook. - Tashkent, 1991. S. 66; y p r 

e s in VI Fundamentals of social statistics: methods scorecard analysis. M., 1991. Pp. 85, National 

Economy of Uzbekistan in 1993 Stat. Yearbook. Tashkent, 1994. Pp. 107. 

From the above data suggest that in terms of the number of families the end of the Soviet era security 

of the population of durable goods in Uzbekistan was at an acceptable level. However, per 1,000 

people. srednesoyuznye population and national figures are much different and really reflect the 

level of material prosperity Uzbeks.  

Other statistical data analysis also confirmed that Uzbekistan compared to the individual republics of 

the former USSR, was much slower than for prosperity. For example, in Russia, Kazakhstan, 

Georgia, almost every family had a refrigerator, Armenia, Estonia, Turkmenistan, Latvia 100 

families had refrigerators 106-112, while in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, every fourth - sixth 

family "get along" without him
12

. Provision of cars on the Union was on average in 1990 to 100 

families 19 pcs. (In 1980 - 10 pcs.), per 1,000 people. population, this figure was 58 pcs. (In 1980 - 

30 pcs.)
13

 In Uzbekistan, these figures were respectively 11.9 and 21.9 pc
14

.  

                                                                 
2.1 12

 Gurev V. I. Osnovo' sotsialnoy statistiki: metodo', sistema po¬ka¬zateley, analiz. M., 1991. S. 84. 

2.1 13
 SSSR v tsifrax v 1990 g. M., 1991. S. 149. 



 

American Journal of Science and  Learning for Development Volume 1, No 1|    
Nov - 2022 

 

 
Published by inter-publishing.com  |  All rights reserved. © 2022 
Journal Homepage: http://inter-publishing.com/index.php/AJSLD    

Page 27 

 

At the same time, it should be noted, to "build up" raw orientation rooted in the colonial period and 

to take biased in the Soviet period was the cause of formation in the country "imported" economy. 

Until the 1990s, most of the consumer goods were imported from abroad, including 100% of TV 

sets, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, cars, about 40% of cotton fabric, 30% of all shoes, etc.  

Low supply of durable goods was partly a result of complex (with several family nuclei) feature of 

families
15

. In addition, numerous traditional family structure, and adversely affect the economic 

situation of the population. Thus, the average family size in the country at that time was 5.5 people., 

In some regions of the country over 6 people., Whereas in the European part of the USSR, the figure 

was only 3.2 persons
16

. Experts estimate that the birth of a child family member income decreased 

by 25-30%
17

. For comparison we present data reflecting the state per capita income in the country as 

well as in Uzbekistan (see: Table. 2) 

Distribution of population by average per capita income (based on household budget survey). 

Index Average annual population figure 

 

 

Million persons Percentage of total 

1985 г. 1990 г. 1985 г. 1990 г. 

USSR Uzbeki

stan 

USSR Uzbeki

stan 

USSR Uzbeki

stan 

USSR Uzbeki

stan 

Including a total average 

per capita joint income 

per month, rub.: 

 

277,2 

 

18,2 

 

288,4 

 

20,4 

 

100 

 

100 

 

100 

 

100 

до 75,0 49,6 8,9 22,3 6,9 17,9 49,3 7,7 34,1 Low
18

 

75,1–100,0 54,8 4,3 30,6 4,7 19,8 23,7 10,6 23,0 

100,1–125,0 53,6 2,3 39,5 3,3 19,3 13,0 13,7 16,6  

Average 125,1–150,0 41,7 1,2 41,4 2,0 15,0 6,8 14,3 10,2 

150,1–175,0 28,9 0,6 37,9 1,3 10,4 3,5 13,2 6,4 

175,1–200,0 18,6 0,3 31,1 0,8 6,7 1,7 10,8 3,8  

High 200,1–250,0 19,0 0,2 43,1 0,7 6,9 1,4 14,9 3,7 

more than 250 11,0 0,1 42,5 0,4 4,0 0,6 14,8 2,2 
 

Note: Calculated based on the data in figures of the USSR in 1990, Moscow, 1991. S. 129, The 

Economy of the Uzbek SSR in 1990, Tashkent, 1991. S. 47; Gurev VI Fundamentals of social 

statistics ... Moscow, 1991. Pp. 81-82. 

In general, summarizing indicators of able. 2, it can be concluded that in 1990, 57.1% of the 

population had incomes below 100 rubles. per month, and in the Union, this figure was only 18.3%, 

"medium" level of wealth was, respectively - 33.2% and 41.2%, "high" - 40.5% and 9.7%. 

According to official data, in 1989 44% of Uzbekistan's population lived below the official poverty 

line and in the Union, this figure was 11.1%. 

However, a significant impact on earnings had established structure of employment. The rapid 

population growth in the second half of XX century., And formed a lopsided economy of the 

republic exacerbated the problem of employment. Made in 1992, calculations showed that in the last 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
2.1 14

 Osnovno'e tendentsii i pokazateli zkonomicheskogo i sotsialnogo razvitiya Respubliki Uzbekistan za godo' 

nezavisimosti (1990–2010 gg.) i prognozo' na 2011–2015 gg. Statisticheskiy sbornik. Tashkent, 2011. S. 86 (dalee – 

Osnovno'e tendentsii i pokazateli). 

2.1 15
 Raschet obespechennosti bralsya iz kolichestva nuklearno'x semey vxodivshix v sostav rasshirenno'x, i 

nekotoro'e predmeto' dlitelnogo polzovaniya priobretalis na vsyu bolshuyu semyu. 

2.1 16
 Sm.: Karimov I. Uzbekistan ¬– sobstvennaya model perexoda na ro'nochno'e otnosheniya / Karimov I.A. 

Uzbekistan: natsionalnaya nezavisimost, zkonomika, politika, ideologiya. Tashkent: O'zbekiston, 1996. T.1. S. 279. 

2.1 17
 Osnovno'e pokazateli sotsialno-zkonomicheskogo razvitiya Respubliki Uzbekistan za 1996 god. Tashkent, 

1997. S. 95. 

2.1 18
 Gradatsiya po urovnyu doxodov sostavlena avtorom. 



 

American Journal of Science and  Learning for Development Volume 1, No 1|    
Nov - 2022 

 

 
Published by inter-publishing.com  |  All rights reserved. © 2022 
Journal Homepage: http://inter-publishing.com/index.php/AJSLD    

Page 28 

 

years of the Soviet Union 14% of the economically active population of Uzbekistan turned out 

socially useful work (5.5% compared to the other republics), with 9 out of 10 unemployed were 

women
19

. This trend is even more acute in the early 1990s, when, on the one hand, Uzbekistan's 

economy is experiencing a severe crisis, and on the other, in parallel with the formation of a mixed 

economy began to emerge the new stratum of society. 

Meanwhile, the statistical office of the republic in the early 1990s, working on an established 

scheme, reporting continued to record data on the already well-established strata of the previous era. 

Analysis of statistical data for the period showed that the per capita income of the families of 

workers and employees (based on household budget survey) per month in 1993 was 12,742.5 rubles., 

Including industrial workers - 17,263.6 rubles., State farm workers - 7085.1 rubles.; farmers - 8056.1 

rubles. A single pensioner - worker or employee, who lived in urban areas in 1993 - RUR 15,107.3. 

per month, pensioner farmers - 13,375.4 rubles. Averaged data are shown in Table. 3. 

Distribution of the population of Uzbekistan by average total income in 1993 (calculated 

according to the household budget survey). 

Index The population figure 

ths. 

Percentage of total Performance * 

 

Население 21703,0 100,0 

Including average per capita joint 

income per month, rub. * 

Until 1500 

 

 

47,7 

 

 

0,22 

 

 

Low 

From 1501 – to 3000 967,2 4,46 

3001 – 7000 7423,4 34,20 

7001 – 10000 5004,9 23,06 

10001 – 13000 3244,1 14,94  

Average 

 
13001 – 17000 2416,4 11,14 

17001 – 20000 983,1 4,53 

20001 – 22000 426,8 1,97  

High 22001 – 24000 306,8 1,41 

24001 – and above 882,6 4,07 
 

Note: The Economy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in 1993 Stat. Yearbook. Tashkent, 1994. C. 

77.An average of 1993 cash income in the Republic by 1 member surveyed family was 11,321.7 

rubles. month. - See National Economy of Uzbekistan in 1993 ... - S. 72. 

Based on data from Table. 3, it can be concluded that an increase in per capita income with low layer 

"average" for some reduction remained almost at the same level - 30% (in 1990 - 33%). It should be 

taken into account at the time carried out by an active social policy that covered almost the entire 

population and aimed at its protection from the harsh poverty. 

The post-Soviet experience of construction shows that the development of a market economy 

involves more diverse than it was in Soviet society, the social structure. Due to the difficulties 

associated with the transition period, representatives of the "old" layers, the level of income refers 

mainly to the middle classes - the intelligentsia, at the initial stage of reforms have undergone 

dramatic changes in their social status, prestige, income, and role in society and as a result their share 

as "medium" in the social hierarchy is much underplayed. Thus, the costs associated with budgetary 

difficulties are inevitable in the process of large-scale reforms, which were carried out in Uzbekistan 

in the early 1990s, affected the state of the material-technical base of educational institutions, as well 

as stimulating the work of teachers. In particular, prior to the adoption of the State Program for 

                                                                 
2.1 19

 Sm.: Uzbekistan: obhaya otsenka strano'. OON. 2003. S. 11–12; Rabich R. G. Xronika. Nauchnaya 

konferentsiya na temu «Voproso' sotsialnogo razvitiya Uzbekistana v protsesse perestroyki» // Obhestvenno'e nauki v 

Uzbekistane. Tashkent, 1989. № 1. S. 52. Zdes nado uchito'vat svyazanno'y s traditsionno'm ukladom jizni fakt, chto 

primerno polovina nezanyato'x jenhin yavlyalis domoxozyaykami. 



 

American Journal of Science and  Learning for Development Volume 1, No 1|    
Nov - 2022 

 

 
Published by inter-publishing.com  |  All rights reserved. © 2022 
Journal Homepage: http://inter-publishing.com/index.php/AJSLD    

Page 29 

 

Training in Uzbekistan in 1997, the level of teachers' salaries in the mid-1990s, the average was only 

60-65% of the national average
20

. 

Stratification changes in the conditions of sustainable development 

If the socialist reality, almost all revenues were formed mainly due to wage and authority to strictly 

regulate the property status of citizens, in the conditions of trade and market relations sources of 

income undergone significant changes. Gradual transformation of the economic system from a 

planned to a market are adequately reflected in the collections of the Statistical Committee of the 

Republic of Uzbekistan, where the classification structure cash income are as follows: this included 

income from business activities, salaries, social benefits, income from property and rather 

complicated position in its content - other income, including hidden wages (the latter as a percentage 

of total income). 

However, according to experts, by 2005, the republic formed is not the optimal structure of income: 

the share of wages in total income of the population was less than 40%, while in countries with 

developed market economies, the proportion was more than 75% of the total income households. 

While in rural areas the share of wages - less than 20%. At the same time, the revenue accruing to 

the family in the form of social transfers (pensions and benefits) are quite high - about 20%, 

including pensions accounted for about 13% of all household income. Excessively high as compared 

with other states, the income from the sale of products produced on peasant farms - about 35% of the 

total household income
21

. But, according to experts, such a high level could be justified in the 1990s 

in the early stages of economic reform when dehqon farms use tax preferences to support household 

incomes during the economic downturn. However, at the present stage of economic development the 

share of this type of income should be reduced, giving way to the income from business in the form 

of wages. The proportion of income from entrepreneurial activity, then it during the study period was 

quite high - about 20%. However, excessive growth it may indicate an enhancement of 

differentiation by income as income from business concentrated only in a minority of households
22

. 

It should take into account regional differences. This applies, above all, the relation of these 

indicators. In Tashkent and Navoi region, for example, the highest share of income from wages. 

In order to identify social attitudes and self-perception of citizens Center for the Study of Public 

Opinion "Ijtimoiy Fikr" conducted a rapid survey of citizens on the topic "Social Monitoring - social 

self-awareness of citizens." According to the study, the level of material support of 33.1% of 

respondents identified themselves as average and 54% - to the layers "below average" (Table 4)
23

. 

To what social class you belong and your family? (% of respondents) 

1,4 33,1 53,9 7,4 4,2 

Rich Middle layer Below average Poor Refusal 
 

Judging by the results of the study, it can be argued that the indicators Self-assessment of 

respondents for this period are quite high. Promote positive changes in reforms implemented in 

Uzbekistan, the favorable situation on the world market resources (from the beginning of the XXI 

century.), Which resulted in a gradual increase in national income, which is the result of increased 

productivity and, as a rule, evidence of employment growth or an increase in salary board. 

According to research conducted by UNICEF since the mid-1990s in Uzbekistan, there is increase in 

the average level of real wages, and by the end of the 1990s she was stabilized, indicating that people 

with low wages also benefited from economic growth in country. 

                                                                 
2.1 20

 Doklad o chelovecheskom razvitii. Uzbekistan 1998. (UNDP., CER.). Tashkent, 1998. S. 17. 

2.1 21
 Ubaydullaeva R. A. Glavnaya strategicheskaya tsel zkonomicheskix reform v Uzbekistane // Materialo' 

konferentsii «Transformatsiya zkonomicheskoy sistemo' i problemo' formirovaniya konkurentnoy sredo' v Uzbekistane» 

(23 fevralya 2003 g.). Tashkent, 2005. S. 18. 

2.1 22
 Tam je. 

2.1 23
 Ubaydullaeva R. A. Sotsialno'y monitoring i sotsialno'e samochuvstviya grajdan Uzbekistana // Zkonomika i 

klass sobstvennikov. Tashkent, 2004. № 3. S. 7. 



 

American Journal of Science and  Learning for Development Volume 1, No 1|    
Nov - 2022 

 

 
Published by inter-publishing.com  |  All rights reserved. © 2022 
Journal Homepage: http://inter-publishing.com/index.php/AJSLD    

Page 30 

 

About the latest developments in income and financial situation of the population in Uzbekistan 

since independence can be judged by the results of the study "Resource mobilization household» 

(FAM - Family Assets Mobilization), conducted in 2009 by the Center for Economic Research in 

cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme "Support to Reform Process in 

Uzbekistan"
24

. For the period 2003-2009. total assets households in the country (in Uzbekistan over 

five million households) increased three times and was estimated at $ 87 billion analysis of data on 

household income leads to the main conclusion in Uzbekistan has been an increase in income, both 

nominal and real. Whereas in 2003 the total value of all assets of the surveyed households was less 

than $ 6,400 per family on average, or a scale republic around $ 35 billion (roughly estimated), while 

in 2009, excluding the size of savings, the cost of home appliances and unevaluated the value of 

land, the total assets of the main country's households (real estate, vehicles, equipment, livestock) 

amounted to about $ 17,000 per household
25

. 

In addition to real estate and technology in Uzbekistan on the growth of incomes and living 

standards of the population affected by domestic animals. In terms of durable goods, available in 

working condition in families also have been significant changes. In 2003, most of the durable goods 

available to the families had from age 10 to 20 years, is in a strong state of disrepair and needed 

constant repair and investing. In 2009, more than 30% of the property at the basic heading 

(televisions, audio, video, etc.) has been acquired in the period from 2003 to 2009 has undergone 

substantial renovation and park personal vehicles - according to the survey, over 66% of cars were 

purchased by families for not more than 7 years. Twice as increased fleet of trucks. Sharp increase 

occurred at positions that in 2003 almost not been claimed population because of high prices - 

mobile phones, satellite dishes, computers, microwave ovens, DVD, etc
26

. 

These opinion polls are confirmed by statistical data authorities (see Table. № 5). 

Provision of the population durables (the amount of goods per 100 households) units. 

Durable goods 1990 y. 2000 y. 2010 y. 

TVs 90 88 132 

Refrigerators and freezers 80 86 99 

Conditioners 9 11 18,5 

Vacuum cleaners 29 30 37 

PCs - 0,2 12 

Cameras and video cameras 21 21 24 

VCRs, DVD players and video players 1 31 64 

Washers 67 69 75 

Mobile Phones - 18 145 

The number of cars per 1000 population, units. 21,9 38,9 51,5 

The number of cars per 100 households, ed. 11,9 20,1 27,1 
 

Note: See: Major trends and indicators of economic and social development of the Republic of 

Uzbekistan for years of independence (1990-2010 gg.) And forecasts for 2011-2015. Statistical 

compilation. Tashkent, 2011. Pp. 86. 

However, the steady growth of material reserves indicates the presence of significant reserves to 

boost incomes and living standards of the population and the growth of the middle strata in their 

                                                                 
2.1 24

 «FAM–2009» po svoim masshtabam raboto' yavlyaetsya samo'm krupno'm issledovaniem v Uzbekistane v 

poslednie godo' (analogichnoe issledovanie provodilos v 2003 g. – R. Sh.). V xode obsledovaniya bo'li oprosheno' 2997 

domoxozyaystv (v ix sostav vxodili 16743 che¬loveka), v tom chisle oprosom bo'lo oxvacheno 302 domoxozyaystva 

pred¬prinimateley (1648 chelovek). Sredniy sostav oproshenno'x domoxozyaystv – 5,6 cheloveka. Sredniy vozrast 

chlenov obsledovanno'x domoxo¬zyaystv – 27,9 goda. (Aktivo' domoxozyaystv kak vajneyshiy investitsionno'y resurs // 

Zkonomicheskoe obozrenie. Tashkent, 2010. № 3. S. 20). 

2.1 25
 Aktivo' domoxozyaystv kak vajneyshiy investitsionno'y resurs // Zkonomicheskoe obozrenie. 2010. № 3. S. 

23. 

2.1 26
 Tam je. S. 23-24. 



 

American Journal of Science and  Learning for Development Volume 1, No 1|    
Nov - 2022 

 

 
Published by inter-publishing.com  |  All rights reserved. © 2022 
Journal Homepage: http://inter-publishing.com/index.php/AJSLD    

Page 31 

 

composition. An important role to play in enabling measures of household assets, taken at the level 

of the center, and in the field. Most effective in this regard runs microcredit for development of 

family business. 

Evolutionary approach consistent and gradual transition to a market economy, political and 

macroeconomic stability enabled Uzbekistan intense than in many post-Soviet countries with 

economies in transition, to overcome the effects of large-scale decline in production and since the 

mid-1990s to resume economic growth and rising living standards. 

Clear evidence of the effectiveness of successive Uzbekistan and socio-oriented economic reforms is 

sustained growth of per capita indicators of socio-economic development and living standards. GDP 

per capita, calculated (based on World Bank data) at purchasing power parity (PPP) in 1990 was $ 

1328 in 2000 - $ 1431 and in 2010 reached $ 3271. Thus, Uzbekistan still in the 90s of the last 

century on this important indicator exceeded the pre-reform level, and by 2010 it increased 2.5-fold 

(compared with 1990)
27

. 

It should be noted that a high demographic pressure causes the relatively low levels of per capita 

income. If you take the comparison of GDP per person employed in the economy, you can see her 

real qualitative differences. So, if in 1990, each employee in the economy accounted for the 

equivalent of $ 3412 of GDP, in 2000 - $ 3928, and in 2010 - an average of $ 7940, or 2.3 times 

more than in 1990
28

. We can assume that if the composition of families Uzbekistan would match the 

level of developed countries, the income increased to approximately twice that would be reflected 

favorably on the standard of living of the population. 

Parallel measures to mitigate the negatives sharp polarization of society undertaken by the republic's 

leadership to increase the income of the population, allowed to form the country's growing middle 

class. According to official estimates, in 1990 in the country at a fraction of the population with 

middle income countries accounted for about 18% of the population, and in 2000, from a survey of 

households - 24%, in 2010 60% of households had no cash income stable below average
29

. 

The experience of developed countries shows that in a market way out of this situation is to create 

favorable conditions for the formation and development of the middle strata through the creation of a 

class of owners-entrepreneurs. This postulate is reflected in the priority areas of economic reforms in 

Uzbekistan. Uzbek President Islam Karimov, seeing them as a prerequisite to assess the effectiveness 

of reforms, pointing to the stability of the entire system of economic, social and political institutions, 

noted that "... small business and entrepreneurship... are an important part of the process of 

establishing in Uzbekistan middle class of owners, foundations and supports socio-political life of 

the country"
30

. 

A natural question arises: why the country's leadership pays special attention to limit sharp 

polarization of society (in the property plan)? According to experts, "inequality affects poverty 

reduction depends on economic growth." So exceeding a certain threshold of inequality, on the one 

hand, it may deepen the socio-political polarization of society, in the form of use of social benefits 

(health, education), opening their own business, participation in government (political life), on the 

other hand, has a negative impact on growth GDP (sots.ek. apathy, falling economic efficiency) and 

ultimately increases socio-political instability
31

. Particularly dangerous for any society is the sharp 

transitions from equality to inequality and vice versa. 

                                                                 
2.1 27

 Osnovno'e tendentsii i pokazateli… S. 70. 

2.1 28
 Tam je. S. 71. 

2.1 29
 Osnovno'e tendentsii i pokazateli… S. 80. Sleduet uchito'vat, chto statisticheskie danno'e privedeno' v 

korrelyatsii s mestno'm urovnem jizni – prim. avtora. 

2.1 30
 Karimov I. Konstitutsiya Uzbekistana – prochno'y fundament nashego prodvijeniya na puti 

demokraticheskogo razvitiya i formirovaniya grajdanskogo obhestva; Doklad na torjestvennom sobranii, posvyahennom 

17-letiyu Konstitutsii Respubliki Uzbekistan // http://press-service,uz/#ru;/riews/show/dokladi/ozbekiston 

komiitutsiyasi/. 

2.1 31
 Makrozkonomicheskaya stabilnost i bednost v Uzbekistane. CER. UNDP. – T., 2005. – S. 40. 



 

American Journal of Science and  Learning for Development Volume 1, No 1|    
Nov - 2022 

 

 
Published by inter-publishing.com  |  All rights reserved. © 2022 
Journal Homepage: http://inter-publishing.com/index.php/AJSLD    

Page 32 

 

In addition, the level of socio-political stability, economic development in the country affects the 

status of the various strata. Her deterioration or improvement respectively may affect the state 

especially the "temporary", regardless what position they occupy in the hierarchical social structure 

of the population axis. Thus, the need for temporary sale of its assets (land, houses, consumer 

durables), taking extreme steps go into "permanent". This trend is reflected in the permanent state of 

the next generations, handed "inherited." 

In general, in the country the measures taken by the social protection of the population, prevent the 

possibility of a sharp polarization of the population by income level. According to President Islam 

Karimov "due to the rapid increase wages and incomes of socially vulnerable groups, providing them 

with support and tax incentives, with a total income growth in the last ten years by 8.1 times, the gap 

between the groups with the lowest and highest income, in other words, income differentiation ratio 

decreased from 21.1 to 8.3 times. This factor is one of the lowest among the CIS countries and a 

number of economically developed countries"
32

. The indicator for the whole country is at an 

acceptable level - the difference in incomes of the wealthiest 20% and the poorest 20% of citizens is 

8.4 times
33

. 

Thus, the transformation processes of the last two decades in the socio-economic sphere of 

Uzbekistan have brought profound changes in the social structure of society. Undergone significant 

changes in the economic relations of countries, expressed in changing relations of property and 

power. Along with them is a restructuring mechanism stratification intensive change of elites. 

However, data such as social statistics, and polls show the stability of the market reforms in the 

country and increase the role of personality in their implementation. Since the second half of the 

1990s. upward trend in material well-being of citizens, which is the result of quantitative and 

qualitative changes in the standard of living of the population of Uzbekistan. On the "stage" of social 

and economic life came new social groups, certain segments of the population are changing their 

social status, where the main trend of increasing acts of the middle strata of society. And finally, the 

difficult conditions of a transition period had a positive impact on the socio-economic mobility 

Uzbeks, on the one hand, reducing their dependency on the other, the growth of economic activity 

and independence. 

 

                                                                 
2.1 32

 Doklad Prezidenta Respubliki Uzbekistan Islama Karimova na zasedanii Kabineta Ministrov, posvyahennom 

osnovno'm itogam 2011 goda i prioritetam sotsialno-zkonomicheskogo razvitiya na 2012 god // 

http://president.uz/ru/news/show/dokladi/2012 god stanet godom podnyatiya na n 1/ 

2.1 33
 Ubaydullaeva R. A. Glavnaya strategicheskaya tsel zkonomicheskix reform v Uzbekistane // Materialo' 

konferentsii «Transformatsiya zkonomicheskoy sistemo' i problemo' formirovaniya konkurentnoy sredo' v Uzbekistane» 

(23 fevralya 2003 g.). Tashkent, 2005. S. 18. 

http://president.uz/ru/news/show/dokladi/2012

