Kazakhstanis Spend 57% of Their Household Budgets on Food

Despite reported growth in certain macroeconomic indicators, the financial situation of Kazakhstani households continues to deteriorate, according to analysts at Finprom.kz, who note a sharp increase in the share of food expenditures, now accounting for more than half of total consumer spending. In the third quarter of 2025, food expenditures reached 57.2% of overall household consumer spending, the highest level since 2021. A higher figure was recorded only in 2020, the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the share stood at approximately 58%. For comparison, in developed countries, food spending typically accounts for 10-15% of household budgets. In international practice, a level above 50% is generally regarded as an indicator of significant pressure on household incomes. Regionally, the burden is even more pronounced. The highest share of food expenditures between June and September 2025 was recorded in the Zhetysu region, at 65.8%. In the Turkestan region, the figure was 65.3%, and in the Almaty region, 62.2%. These regions are largely agriculturally oriented and have less diversified economies. The rising share of food expenditures is considered a key socio-economic indicator. An increase in this share reduces the resources available for education, healthcare, housing, and long-term savings or investment. The gap between urban and rural areas persists. In the third quarter of 2025, food spending accounted for 58.7% of total expenditures in rural areas, compared to 56.5% in urban areas. In absolute terms, urban food expenditures increased by 15.5% year-on-year, while rural expenditures rose by 11%. In cities, the largest increases were recorded in spending on meat and meat products (22.3%), fruit (18.6%), vegetables (16.8%), and oils and fats (16.4%). In rural areas, growth was more moderate, and spending on some categories, such as sugar and confectionery, declined. Differences are also evident in dietary structure. Rural residents spend more on bread and cereals, about $176 compared to $139 among urban residents, while urban households allocate more to dairy products, at $118 versus $93 in rural areas. The increase in the food burden has already been accompanied by a reduction in non-food spending. In urban areas, the share of non-food expenditures fell from 26% to 22.2%, and in absolute terms from $492 to $450. The sharpest declines were observed in spending on automotive goods and fuel, telecommunications, household appliances, home repairs, and interior renovation. At the same time, spending on medicines increased.

Uzbekistan to Generate Electricity from Household Waste

Uzbekistan is advancing plans to build waste-to-energy (WTE) plants across several regions as part of a broader strategy to improve waste management and generate electricity. Presidential decrees have approved investment projects in Tashkent and the regions of Andijan, Namangan, Ferghana, Tashkent, Kashkadarya, and Samarkand. These projects aim to modernize the country’s waste processing infrastructure while enhancing environmental sustainability and attracting direct investment into the energy and utilities sectors. Under the agreements, project companies will supply the electricity generated from waste to “Uzenergosotish” JSC through 30-year guaranteed purchase contracts. Equipment launches are scheduled between 2025 and 2027, with the following projected processing capacities: Tashkent Region: 2,500 tons of waste processed daily, generating 390 million kWh annually Andijan Region: 1,500 tons for 240 million kWh Kashkadarya Region: 1,500 tons for 240 million kWh Samarkand Region: 1,500 tons for 240 million kWh Namangan Region: 1,500 tons for 227.5 million kWh Ferghana Region: 1,500 tons for 227.5 million kWh Global Models for Waste-to-Energy The concept of converting household waste into energy is widely used in countries with advanced waste management systems. Sweden, for instance, has developed a highly efficient WTE infrastructure that provides heating to over 1 million households and electricity to approximately 680,000 homes. As of 2013, the country was importing roughly 800,000 tons of waste annually from neighboring states to meet the fuel demands of its power plants. Japan has also embraced WTE technology, largely due to its limited landfill capacity. By 2020, Japanese incineration plants had a combined power generation capacity of approximately 2,200 megawatts, contributing significantly to the national grid. Challenges and Considerations Despite its promise, WTE technology is not without challenges. If not properly managed, waste incineration can result in harmful emissions and air pollution. Ensuring that Uzbekistan’s facilities meet modern environmental standards will be critical to the success and sustainability of the initiative. The government’s move reflects a growing recognition of the need for cleaner, more sustainable energy sources while addressing the persistent issue of urban waste. If implemented effectively, these projects could mark a significant step toward Uzbekistan's green energy transition.