Crossroads Asia | Society | Central Asia

Are Uzbeks Really Happy?

By some measures, Uzbeks appear relatively content; by others, their sense of well-being is more restrained.

Are Uzbeks really happy? In Uzbekistan, it is customary to greet someone by asking how they are; the typical response is “I am good, Alhamdulillah,” regardless of how the person is actually feeling. People rarely express complaints or negative emotions during such greetings. This social habit is rooted in religious beliefs, reflecting the cultural expectation that people should remain grateful to God, regardless of the current circumstances.

Each year, the University of Oxford with the U.N. Sustainable Development Solutions Network releases the World Happiness report in time for the International Day of Happiness, March 20. Until 2021, Uzbeks ranked as the happiest population among the Central Asian countries, but Uzbekistan’s happiness levels have shown some fluctuation in recent years. 

In the report, happiness score is ranked on a 0-10 scale, where 10 represents the “best possible life.” In 2018, Uzbekistan scored 6.174, ranking 41st globally; in 2019, it recorded a 6.258 score and ranked 38th; in 2020, its score was 6.179, ranking 42nd. Uzbekistan’s average score of 6.2 indicates a modest but stable level of life satisfaction.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Uzbekistan’s global ranking declined, with Kazakhstan taking the lead in the region. In 2023, Uzbekistan ranked 47th with a score of 6.195, and in 2024, it further fell to 53rd, scoring 6.193. Kyrgyzstan landed in 75th place, while Tajikistan was further behind at 90th. There was no data on Turkmenistan.

Another ranking was done by the “Godfather” of happiness studies Ruut Veenhoven, who created the World Database of Happiness. According to his database, Uzbeks reported levels of happiness comparable to those of people in the Netherlands. However, when examining living standards, income, and socio-economic indicators, there is a significant gap between the two countries.

Data from the World Values Survey in Uzbekistan shows happiness and its indicators. Surveys were collected among 1,500 respondents. There are two waves of data available on Uzbekistan, wave 6 in 2011 and wave 7 in 2022. In the survey respondents were asked: “Taking all things together, would you say you are: (4) very happy, rather happy, not very happy, or not at all happy (1) ?” In other words, they ranked happiness on a 1-4 ladder, where 4 represents the best possible life.

Happiness is shaped by myriad factors, including income, social capital, health, and freedom of choice. The data illustrates that average happiness, according to income scale, decreased over time. Income scale runs from lowest (1) level to highest (10).

Data from 2022 shows that the link between income scale and happiness has weakened since 2011. Although income scales have risen, happiness levels have remained unchanged. This illustrates the Easterlin Paradox, which suggests that beyond a certain point, economic growth doesn’t increase overall well-being. The findings highlight the need for governments to focus beyond income growth and invest in social and environmental policies if they aim to increase the happiness of their populations. 

Uzbek society is collectivist, and social capital plays a central role in daily life. The importance of family and friends is very significant among Uzbeks, with many people shaping their decisions based on public opinion. Living according to “what people say” is common, as........

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