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 social harmony and community approval strongly influence personal and social choices.

In the World Values Survey, family importance is measured with the question: “How important is family in your life?” Respondents choose from four options: (4) very important, rather important, not very important, or not at all important (1). In 2011, not a single respondent reported that family was “not at all important.” The data indicates that happiness increased as the perceived importance of family rose – in other words, those who perceived family as important were also happier.

In 2022, a small number of respondents (three individuals) stated that family was not important to them. While the relationship between the importance of family and happiness appears more complex in this wave, the overall pattern still suggests relatively higher happiness among those who place greater importance on family.

Good health is an important factor influencing happiness. In the World Values Survey, respondents were asked: “All in all, how would you describe your state of health these days?” with answer options ranging from very good (5) to poor (1). Figure 3 shows the average happiness score is linked to health status. In the 2011 data, happiness increases as health status improves. Respondents with the lowest health level report lower happiness (3.21), while those with the highest health level report the highest happiness score (3.84). This suggests that better health is strongly associated with higher levels of well-being. In 2022, although the values seem to differ slightly, happiness still generally rises with improved health, reaching 3.73 among respondents who reported good health.

Since 2017, people in Uzbekistan have experienced greater freedom of speech and movement. Are these changes reflected in their happiness levels? Freedom and control are measured by asking respondents how much freedom of choice and control they feel they have over their lives, on a scale from “none at all” (1) to “a great deal (10).” The data shows that people felt happier in the period before 2017, but rather than concluding that greater freedom of speech contributes to less happiness, the overall decline might better be explained as related to post-COVID conditions.

Although Kazakhstan is leading Central Asia when it comes to happiness, Uzbeks remain more optimistic among the region’s people. Gallup’s Life Evaluation Index measures people’s expectations about their future well-being. Respondents rate their expected life in five years on a scale from 0 (worst possible life) to 10 (best possible life). 

In 2023, respondents in Uzbekistan reported a very high level of optimism (8.9). By comparison, optimism score of respondents in Kyrgyzstan was 8.2, followed by Kazakhstan (7.8) and Tajikistan (7.2). 

Happiness is a dynamic and ever-shifting condition in a person’s life. By some measures, Uzbeks appear relatively content; by others, their sense of well-being is more restrained. Happiness among Uzbeks works the same way: outwardly calm, internally complex, always shifting, and always shaped by culture, circumstance, and faith.

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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 social harmony and community approval strongly influence personal and social choices.

In the World Values Survey, family importance is measured with the question: “How important is family in your life?” Respondents choose from four options: (4) very important, rather important, not very important, or not at all important (1). In 2011, not a single respondent reported that family was “not at all important.” The data indicates that happiness increased as the perceived importance of family rose – in other words, those who perceived family as important were also happier.

In 2022, a small number of respondents (three individuals) stated that family was not important to them. While the relationship between the importance of family and happiness appears more complex in this wave, the overall pattern still suggests relatively higher happiness among those who place greater importance on family.

Good health is an important factor influencing happiness. In the World Values Survey, respondents were asked: “All in all, how would you describe your state of health these days?” with answer options ranging from very good (5) to poor (1). Figure 3 shows the average happiness score is linked to health status. In the 2011 data, happiness increases as health status improves. Respondents with the lowest health level report lower happiness (3.21), while those with the highest health level report the highest happiness score (3.84). This suggests that better health is strongly associated with higher levels of well-being. In 2022, although the values seem to differ slightly, happiness still generally rises with improved health, reaching 3.73 among respondents who reported good health.

Since 2017, people in Uzbekistan have experienced greater freedom of speech and movement. Are these changes reflected in their happiness levels? Freedom and control are measured by asking respondents how much freedom of choice and control they feel they have over their lives, on a scale from “none at all” (1) to “a great deal (10).” The data shows that people felt happier in the period before 2017, but rather than concluding that greater freedom of speech contributes to less happiness, the overall decline might better be explained as related to post-COVID conditions.

Although Kazakhstan is leading Central Asia when it comes to happiness, Uzbeks remain more optimistic among the region’s people. Gallup’s Life Evaluation Index measures people’s expectations about their future well-being. Respondents rate their expected life in five years on a scale from 0 (worst possible life) to 10 (best possible life). 

In 2023, respondents in Uzbekistan reported a very high level of optimism (8.9). By comparison, optimism score of respondents in Kyrgyzstan was 8.2, followed by Kazakhstan (7.8) and Tajikistan (7.2). 

Happiness is a dynamic and ever-shifting condition in a person’s life. By some measures, Uzbeks appear relatively content; by others, their sense of well-being is more restrained. Happiness among Uzbeks works the same way: outwardly calm, internally complex, always shifting, and always shaped by culture, circumstance, and faith.

Dr. Shoirakhon Nurdinova is an associate professor at Kimyo International University in Tashkent. She holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Anadolu University (Türkiye). Her research focuses on behavioral economics, migration, and gender studies in Central Asian contexts. She is recognized as a pioneer of happiness economics research in Uzbekistan and the author of the first Uzbek-language textbook on behavioral economics. 

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