The Senate approved the deficit state budget for 2025.

On December 18, the Senate of the Oliy Majlis approved the draft law "On the State Budget of Uzbekistan for 2025." The document is pending the president's signature.

The consolidated budget revenues for 2025 are expected to reach 431.0 trillion sums, while expenditures are projected at 480.5 trillion sums, adhering to the goal of keeping the consolidated budget deficit to no more than 3% of GDP in the medium term.

State budget revenues should amount to 308.5 trillion sums, with expenditures set at 344.8 trillion sums. The expenditure level has increased by 200 billion sums compared to the draft law.

The revenues and expenditures of state targeted funds (excluding interbudgetary transfers) are planned to be 66.4 trillion sums and 62.8 trillion sums, respectively.

The law also maintains a social focus for expenditures in the upcoming year, with 52% of state budget expenditures, or 177.7 trillion sums, allocated to the social sphere.

The state budget for 2025 includes 3.6 trillion sums for environmental protection initiatives, and 41.3 trillion sums earmarked for healthcare, which is an increase of 19.8% compared to the expected execution in 2024.

Additionally, through presidential decrees and Cabinet of Ministers resolutions, funding will be allocated in 2025 for addressing pressing social issues in regions, improving the infrastructure of mahallas, and implementing state significance projects.

Senators emphasized that the law focuses on expanding the budget's revenue base, creating decent living conditions for the population, reducing poverty, enhancing the education and healthcare sectors, improving mahalla infrastructure, and promoting environmental conservation.

It was previously reported that Uzbekistan does not plan to abandon subsidies for gas and electricity prices. Funding will continue to be allocated from the state budget to cover the difference, despite rising energy resource tariffs.