This indicator, known as the quintile coefficient, serves as an indicator of the level of social inequality. When one-fifth of the population owns almost half of all financial resources, it indicates a high concentration of capital in the hands of a few.
Economist Iskender Sharshiev, commenting on the situation for 24.kg, noted that this conclusion does not take into account the specific mechanisms of resource distribution characteristic of the region. He emphasized that familial ties play a significant role in the country.
“We have active mechanisms related to funerals and family relationships. More affluent relatives help other family members. Similarly, remittances from migrants serve as a form of social support. These informal networks effectively replace state mechanisms for resource redistribution,” he explained.
Iskender Sharshiev
The expert emphasized that capital concentration is a global trend, as assets tend to gravitate towards those who know how to manage them. At the same time, he is skeptical about attempts to equalize incomes through tax measures.
“In Western countries, a proportional tax is applied, but the wealthy find ways to avoid it through borrowing. As long as you are paying off loans and interest, you are effectively not taxed. If we introduce a similar system here, the outcome will be the same—evasion schemes will work here too. Therefore, the introduction of a 'luxury tax' is impractical,” he added.
Sharshiev also noted that it is necessary to increase the pace of economic growth, and social justice in our society will be restored through traditional methods.
According to the National Statistical Committee, nominal incomes of the population from January to September of last year amounted to 736 billion soms, which is 7.4% more compared to the previous year.
The main source of income for citizens remains employment—income from labor activities accounts for almost 80% of the total volume. Social payments (pensions and benefits) make up 12.6%, while 5.1% of income comes from the sale of products from gardens and smallholdings.
