What do people in Central Asia spend most of their money on?

Residents of CIS countries, including Uzbekistan, spend most of their money on food and housing, according to data from the “Numbeo” platform.

In these countries, the largest portion of expenses goes toward essential needs such as food and housing. Spending on clothing, transport, sports, and entertainment is significantly lower, indicating that families in the region primarily focus on meeting basic necessities.

Tajikistan has the highest share of food expenses in the region, accounting for 37.1 percent of the average household budget — the largest portion dedicated to food among Central Asian countries. Housing rent makes up 20.5 percent, restaurants 15 percent, transport 11.1 percent, and utilities 5 percent. Tajik citizens spend the least on clothing and footwear (6.4 percent), as well as on sports and leisure (4.9 percent).

A similar pattern is observed in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, where food and housing together make up nearly half of all household spending. In Kyrgyzstan, food accounts for 28.5 percent and rent 25.9 percent of total expenses, while in Kazakhstan these figures stand at 29.6 and 23.3 percent, respectively. In both countries, restaurant spending ranges between 15 and 18 percent of the budget, transport between 10 and 14 percent, and utilities remain below 5 percent.

In Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, food and housing also dominate household expenses — 35.1 percent and 30 percent, respectively. However, Turkmenistan records a higher share of utility costs (12.8 percent), while Uzbekistan has the highest regional share of spending on sports and recreation (7.2 percent).

Compared to other CIS countries, the spending structure remains largely similar. In Russia, food expenses make up 29 percent, rent 21.8 percent, and restaurants 17.6 percent.

In Belarus, these shares are 29.3, 22.9, and 19.2 percent, respectively. In Azerbaijan and Armenia, the main expenses also go toward food, rent, and restaurants — together accounting for more than 60 percent of household budgets.