Salary increase - The Times Of Central Asia

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Healthcare Policy

Doctors in Kyrgyzstan to Receive Double Salaries and Subsidized Housing

The Kyrgyz government plans to significantly expand social support for medical workers. According to Health Minister Kanybek Dosmambetov, beginning in April 2026, all doctors across the country will receive a 100% salary increase. In addition, 5,000 mortgage apartments will be provided to medical personnel on a priority basis, bypassing the general housing queue. Dosmambetov announced these measures during visits to the oncology and oncohematology departments of the National Center for Maternal and Child Health and the Center for Child Rehabilitation and Family Support in Bishkek, where he extended New Year greetings to patients and medical staff. Beyond the upcoming salary hike, medical professionals can already benefit from the state mortgage program, which offers access to housing at subsidized interest rates without the standard waiting period. These initiatives, according to the minister, aim to retain skilled personnel in the healthcare sector and enhance the overall appeal of the medical profession. “The ministry has been tasked with effectively reforming the healthcare system, establishing sustainable and transparent mechanisms for its operation, upgrading medical infrastructure, developing maternal and child healthcare, and strengthening public health and disease prevention services,” Dosmambetov said. He added that the coming period will be pivotal for Kyrgyzstan’s healthcare system. Government priorities include establishing a seamless supply chain for affordable, high-quality medicines, ensuring equitable operating conditions for private medical institutions, and reinforcing management discipline and accountability at all administrative levels. Particular attention will also be paid to the adoption of digital technologies aimed at increasing the transparency and accessibility of healthcare services and laying the groundwork for further structural reforms.

Economy

Tajikistan Raises Minimum Monthly Wage to $110 Amid Broad Income Hikes

Effective September 1, Tajikistan has implemented a nationwide increase in salaries, pensions, and scholarships, ranging from 10% to 30% across various sectors. The country’s minimum wage is now officially set at 1,000 Tajikistani somoni (TJS) per month, approximately $110. This marks a 25% increase from the previous rate of 800 TJS ($88). “This means that from September 1, 2025, the monthly salary of employees of all institutions, organizations, and enterprises, regardless of ownership, must not be less than 1,000 TJS,” the official decree states. The salary hikes apply broadly. Employees of kindergartens and general education schools will see a 30% increase. Teachers at universities and research institutions will receive a 20% raise, matching the increase granted to doctors, chief physicians, nurses, and other healthcare personnel. The same 20% boost also extends to social workers, including staff at elderly care homes and facilities for people with disabilities, as well as to cultural sector employees, such as those working in theaters, libraries, museums, media, and public broadcasting. Civil servants at all levels of government have also received a 20% salary increase. In parallel, insurance, labor, and social pensions have been increased by 10%. Scholarships, including presidential scholarships and other academic grants, have also been raised, with the exception of stipends for cadets in military universities and the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The 2025 state budget includes provisions to finance these increases. Funding sources include surplus revenue collections, local taxes, free budget balances, the Social Insurance and Pension Fund, and reallocation of reserve and discretionary funds. Total budget revenues are projected at TJS 49.6 billion (approximately $5.45 billion), with around 65% expected to come from tax revenues. The government forecasts a 20.8% increase in tax collections compared to 2024. Spending on public sector wages, pensions, and scholarships now accounts for more than 35% of the national budget. In 2025, the total wage fund has reached nearly TJS 13 billion ($1.43 billion), marking a 35.7% rise year-on-year. Pension allocations total TJS 5.1 billion ($561 million), while benefits and scholarships are funded at TJS 350 million ($38.5 million) and TJS 280 million ($30.8 million), respectively, each reflecting a 25% to 26% increase over last year. Despite the official wage growth, low salaries remain a persistent issue for many Tajik citizens. As consumer prices continue to rise, the increases are widely viewed as a form of income indexation rather than a substantial improvement in living standards.

Military Defense

Kyrgyzstan Ramps Up Defense Spending and Salaries for Security Forces

Kyrgyzstan will increase salaries for security officers by 35% starting July 1, with further raises planned for contract military personnel from November 1. President Sadyr Japarov made the announcement during a military parade in Bishkek commemorating the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. Speaking at the event, Japarov emphasized the government’s commitment to modernizing the country’s armed forces and security agencies. “The budget for our armed forces and other military formations has been increased by more than 400% compared to 2020,” he said. “Military personnel are being equipped with modern weapons, the infrastructure of military towns and garrisons is being developed, and a decent level of material and technical support is being provided.” Japarov described these efforts not merely as financial support but as recognition of the “selfless work and sleepless nights on the border with the enemy to protect the people.” The president also noted that Kyrgyzstan has successfully established borders with all neighboring countries, a milestone he attributed to the dedication and professionalism of the armed forces and border guards. Kyrgyzstan’s renewed focus on defense comes in the context of heightened regional security concerns, particularly following recent armed clashes with neighboring Tajikistan. In response, the government has ramped up investments in military modernization, including the procurement of drones, anti-aircraft missile systems, and heavy equipment. Over the past year alone, 90% of the military’s vehicle fleet has been upgraded.