According to the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated August 27, 2021 No. 544 "On the introduction of the procedure for calculating the amount of minimum consumer spending", we calculated the minimum cost of consumer spending based on surveys of 10.6 thousand households throughout 2021 in all regions of the republic.
At the same time, based on the international methodology, when calculating the minimum consumer spending, the surveyed households were divided into 10 groups according to their size with the lowest expenses (income), and thirty percent of them were selected for analysis.
Based on the survey, it was calculated that the minimum per capita consumption of food (2200 kcal) per capita and the necessary non-food goods and services in these households is 498 thousand soums per person per month.
Meanwhile, it is known that, according to the survey for 2020, in 5.4 thousand households, the estimated minimum consumer spending at 2021 prices amounted to 440 thousand soums, which was announced in May 2021.
In world practice, the use of the minimum consumption indicator as a poverty line is widespread, which looks as follows:
- identification of target groups (targeting) of the population in need of material and other social assistance from the state;
- the use of the poverty line in the country, taking into account the real consumer characteristics and the needs of the population of the target groups;
- increasing the effectiveness and relevance of the tasks and measures outlined in the strategies and programs to combat poverty, as well as their regular monitoring;
- determination of the minimum amount of pensions and benefits, as well as other types of material assistance to low-income families.