To find out how realistic these figures are, Kaktus.media conducted its own calculations, examining how much is actually needed to live in Bishkek and looking into the real earnings of local residents through social media.
What is more important: food or utilities?
According to the results for 2025, the minimum subsistence level for the entire population of Kyrgyzstan amounted to 8,697.32 soms, which is 9.2% more compared to 2024, when it was 7,963.72 soms.The minimum subsistence level is defined as the minimum necessary income level to meet basic needs such as food, housing, clothing, and medical services. The government approved the structure of the minimum subsistence level for various socio-demographic groups back in 2009. For the working-age population, the share of food products is 61%, non-food products - 17%, services - 19%, and taxes - 3%.
Thus, the amount of 9,738.29 soms breaks down into the following categories:
- food - 5,940.3 soms;
- non-food products - 1,655.5 soms;
- services - 1,850.3 soms;
- taxes - 292.19 soms.
- The food basket includes 32 types of products, with consumption norms established for each socio-demographic group.
- Non-food products include clothing, footwear, essential items, medicines, and household goods.
- The composition of services includes housing and communal services, cultural, household, and educational services.
- bread;
- potatoes;
- vegetables;
- fruits;
- sugar;
- meat;
- fish;
- milk;
- eggs;
- butter;
- other products.
We conducted calculations to determine how much a working person actually spends on food in a month, based on the approved norms, and took prices for products at the end of December 2025.
It is also not so simple with services. According to government calculations, for 1,850.3 soms, a person should cover all utility expenses and still allow for entertainment. However, even for minimal housing (for example, a one-room apartment of 35 square meters), one would have to pay at least 1,500 soms just for heating and hot water. This does not include electricity, cold water, and other services. As a result, this amount may not be enough to cover all needs.
Talking about entertainment in this case is out of the question. One will have to save on food to meet basic needs.
Average salary and the opinion of Bishkek residents
The average monthly salary has also caused confusion among the capital's residents. According to the latest data from the National Statistical Committee, it amounted to 54,618 soms. This seems to be a decent amount that should be enough for food, utilities, leisure, and other needs.However, Bishkek residents are asking the question: who receives such high salaries, as many of them dream of such incomes. Here are some comments from social media:
***
They mix the salaries of a deputy minister and a nurse, divide by two, and get the average salary.
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Who earns such money? It’s not about me...
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We live in our own house, heating costs 5,500 for December, internet - 1,200, electricity - 500, water - 344, garbage - 126, mobile - 500 and even more. There are three of us, my husband works. We don’t go to cafes and don’t spend unnecessarily. I sympathize with those who live in rented accommodation with children.
***
This statistics also surprises me! How can we talk about the average when teachers only earn 25,000 soms?
***
My daughter, who works as a nurse, earns 10,000 soms.
***
Prices are constantly rising, a regular set of products costs two to three, and sometimes even 3.5 thousand soms. It’s hard to live, even having your own housing. How do those who rent live? Families with children? Speaking of an "average salary" of 54 thousand, I want to understand, are these real figures or just statistics?
Why such a difference? Many Kyrgyz citizens work in the informal sector, so official data on their incomes is absent. The National Statistical Committee relies only on reports from official organizations, which leads to inflated average figures.
Is the salary enough for a comfortable life?
By comparing living expenses, we turned to the Numbeo service, the largest database on the cost of living. It provides information based on data from users who report prices in their cities. This forms the average cost of living, which significantly differs from official statistics.Taking into account Numbeo data, Kaktus.media compiled a list of necessary expenses for a comfortable life for one person in Bishkek. It includes rent, utilities, internet, transportation, and food. This is a basic set to ensure a comfortable life without excesses.
| Rent for a "one-room" apartment on the outskirts of the city | 33,327 |
| Utilities | 3,558 |
| Internet | 1,033 |
| Mobile communication | 513 |
| Gym membership | 4,396 |
| Public transport (60 trips) | 1,200 |
| Lunch in a cafe (30 times) | 18,000 |
| Capuccino (30 cups) | 6,094 |
| Milk (10 liters) | 811 |
| Bread (15 kg) | 1,108 |
| Rice (2 kg) | 301 |
| Eggs (24 pcs) | 297 |
| Local cheese (1 kg) | 695 |
| Chicken breast (4 kg) | 1,468 |
| Meat (3 kg) | 2,174 |
| Apples (3 kg) | 285 |
| Bananas (2 kg) | 335 |
| Potatoes (5 kg) | 244 |
| Onions (3 kg) | 128 |
| Tomatoes (4 kg) | 549 |
| Water (30 bottles of 1.5 liters) | 1,442 |
| Local beer (10 bottles of 0.5 liters) | 1,056 |
| Cigarettes (20 packs) | 3,200 |
| Total | 82,213 |
Comparing with the calculations we conducted in the spring of 2019 and the autumn of 2025, it is clear that the situation has worsened. Seven years ago, the amount that now needs to be spent in a month could sustain a person for two months. In four months, the cost of living has increased by 1,121 soms.
Our calculations may seem formal. Some may argue that now is not the time for coffee and dinners in restaurants. However, even if a person does not spend money on entertainment, they will still need significantly more than the average salary for a comfortable life. Not just without excesses, but barely making ends meet.
