Actuality August, 2007

If to believe state statistics, for seven months of 2007 Russians became richer almost for 12% as compared to a similar period of the l

ast year. These data were given by Rosstat (the Federal service of state statistics). Only it is doubtful whether the population will believe these figures: according to independent researches, every second Russian reproaches the government for inability to cope with falling of his incomes.

After the reelection of the president Vladimir Putin the priority task

of government was defined the improvement of the well-being of population. In 2004 it was decided to reduce the number of poor people in three years (these are the citizens with profits below living wage) in two times.

However, in 2006 instead of planned 11% of poor people Rosstat reported about 16%, according to the results of 2007 index of 14,6% is expected. And only to 2009 there is a chance to reach the cherished figure of 11%. It is necessary to take notice of the fact that in spite of everything, the profits of population continue to grow, surpassing the rates of labor productivity growth. This fact more than once was mentioned by economists, noting that the price competitiveness of domestic producers at such imbalance falls quickly.

So, according to the Department of economical development, the rates of growth of the mentioned indexes will be equal only by 2020. In response to existent disproportions, international experts not once asked the Russian government to slow down the pay rise to save the competitiveness of enterprises.

However, excessive “enrichment” of Russians against the background of low growth of labor productivity is not especially dangerous for

the economy. It is necessary not to forget that in Russia an average salary still falls far beh ind not only the countries of Western but also of Eastern Europe.

So, in the countries of former socialist camp an average profit exceeds $800, while in Russia, the average monthly nominal accounted salary in July, 2007 made 13,575 rubles, that slightly more than $500.

It is also important that in Russia there

is far higher the region and industry differentiation of profits.

For example, scanty earnings as compared to the center ones are got in the Ivanovskaya and Chitinskaya regions. Payment differentiates also in industries.

The most high-paid, according to Rosstat, are the workers of financial sphere. In July their work was paid in the average 37 thousand of RUB ($1480), while in agriculture average salary made 5,9 thousand of rubles ($236), in mining – 26 thousand of rubles ($1040).

No better there are salaries of employees of a government-financed organization.

So, in 2005 they were paid 4 thousand 158 rubles ($166) on the average, and in 2007 taking into account the indexation in 1,15 times planned from September, 1 their salary will make 6 thousand 242 rubles ($450). In the I half-year of 2007 the level of the average monthly nominal accounted salary of workers in public health sphere and rendering of social services made 79% of it in manufacturing activity, 70% of educationalists’ (in the I half-year of 2006 78% and 69% respectively). According to Ministry of Finance, correlation of average pay of 10% the most paid and 10% of the least paid workers has to go down 16 times by 2010 from 22 times in 2007 and 25 times in 2005.

In past July, as compared to July, 2006, an average salary in Russi a gre

w more than for a quarter (25,4%). The problem is that all these “riches” are statistical. During the last year, due to the efforts of tax organs more and more of enterprises and organizations start

to pay salaries including taxes. In a great deal it explains their quick grows.

And the Rosstat estimations of the profits of population should not be absolutely trusted.

For example, department includes in this index profits from the sale of foreign currency.

Actually, this is the same if to include in that profit money taken from a deposit.

Meanwhile in July a ruble became stronger actively, that stimulated the population to get rid of dollars.

That was the reason of that unprecedented rates of growth of money profits of population in July – 15,5% as compared to July of the last year.

The main factor of growth of profits of population was economy growth based on high prices for raw material commodities. If to believe prognoses, the rates of the GDP growth in the nearest years will be saved at high level: according to official prognosis, indexes will make 6,5% in 2007, 6,1% in 2008, 6% in 2009.

It is necessary not to forget about the increase of charges of the state budget. Neither this year nor in forthcoming triennial the minister of finance Alex Kudrin did not succeed to retain officials and deputies from the populist decisions. In the total the charges of budget grew considerably. But every ruble from the state treasury is this pay for labor of those, who will carry out this or that project, for financing of which funds were appropriated.