Teachers in Kyrgyzstan Earn Higher Salaries Than Teachers in Uzbekistan
Kyrgyz Teachers’ Average Salary Surpasses That of Uzbek Counterparts
The average monthly salary for teachers in Kyrgyzstan has reached an impressive 3 million 952 thousand UZS, according to reports from the country’s Minister of Education and Science, Dogdurkul Kendirbaeva. This amount, highlighted by economist Otabek Bakirov, surpasses the average salary for teachers in neighboring Uzbekistan.
Minister Kendirbaeva revealed in an interview with local media that teachers in Kyrgyzstan earn an average salary of approximately 26,400 som. When converted to UZS at the current exchange rate by the Central Bank, this amounts to over 3 million 952 thousand UZS per month.
The Minister also pointed out that teachers in Kyrgyzstan working in mountainous and remote areas, as well as those with extensive experience and heavy workloads, earn the highest salaries. She noted that in 2022, for the first time, the average salary of teachers in Kyrgyzstan matched the national average salary, making teaching in schools an attractive option even for university professors.
Furthermore, Minister Kendirbaeva mentioned that teachers who successfully pass their certification exams will receive an additional 5,000 som (approximately 748,600 UZS) added to their monthly salary.
On the other hand, economist Otabek Bakirov observed that the average salary for teachers in Kyrgyzstan is higher than that of their Uzbek counterparts, with school teachers in Uzbekistan earning an average of 3 million 484.7 thousand UZS per month. This difference in teacher salaries is significant, especially considering that the average salary for teachers in Kyrgyzstan is on par with the national average salary for citizens.
In contrast, teachers in Uzbekistan earn only one-third of the average salary of the Uzbek population, indicating a disparity in earnings between teachers and the general population. Despite calls for improvement, the salaries of teachers in Uzbekistan have been declining in recent years, raising concerns among experts.
As decision-makers in both countries continue to evaluate salary policies, it is crucial to consider the economic context. Uzbekistan’s GDP per capita is 37% higher than that of Kyrgyzstan, highlighting the need for wage adjustments to ensure fair compensation for educators.
While the average nominal salary for employees in Kyrgyzstan was 35,621 som (5 million 333.1 thousand UZS) between January and July 2024, Uzbekistan reported an average nominal salary of 4 million 551 thousand UZS by the end of the first quarter of the same year. These figures underscore the importance of addressing salary discrepancies to support teachers and education systems in both countries.
In Uzbekistan, efforts are being made to improve teacher salaries, with only 1% of teachers earning a salary of 10 million UZS, according to Minister of Preschool and School Education, Hilola Umarova. However, challenges remain, as revealed by Minister’s Deputy for Financial Issues, Temur Komilov, who acknowledged the complex financial considerations involved in salary adjustments for all educators.
As the debate on teacher salaries continues, it is evident that ensuring fair and competitive compensation for teachers is essential to attract and retain high-quality educators in both Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.
