SOCIAL SECTOR

In January to February 2006 the net money incomes grew 18.4% as compared to similar period of last year and comprised 1572.1 million manats. Per capita incomes with a rise of 17.1% made up 188.9 manats.

Table 1. Major indices, characterizing money incomes of the population

Source: State Statistics Committee

In February the community expenses for purchase of goods and services dropped, while tax remittances and deposits grew and the structure of community expenses underwent essential changes. In this period 69.2% of the community expenses were spent on purchase of goods and services, 13.1% - on obligatory payments and fees, 17.7% - purchase of foreign currency and increase of savings. Net incomes after the payment of taxes and voluntary payments comprised 1366.8 million manats, or 17.7% more a compared to last year.

Last monthly review for January 2006 indicated the community expenses for January in the amount of 16.9m manats. However, upon the analysis of the data it was revealed that the incomes actually exceeded 86.5 million manats. In February the community incomes exceeded 192m manats due to the economy of expense for purchase of goods and services.

One of the types of community incomes salary has a rise tendency. Thus, average monthly salary of employee involved in the economy made up 128.7 manats, or 20.7% up as compared. The highest salary rate was fixed in extractive industry, as well as financial, leasing and commerce, construction sectors.

In the South Caucasus the highest salary rate was fixed in Azerbaijan $140 (127 AZN). In Armenian the figure was fixed at $115 and in Georgia $50.

In January 2006 the social payments paid at the job places made up 484m manats. Major part of benefits fell on employees of electricity gas and water supply, transport, store economy, communications and education.

In accordance with official statistics, as of 1 March 2006 a total of 3852,100 economically active people were employed in the Azerbaijan, or 46.3% of all population. The hired employees in the total made up 7.6%

The number of officially registered unemployed people made up 56,364 people, of which 51.4% are women. 70% of all teachers at secondary schools are women, 68% - special trade schools, 43% - teachers at universities and 61% of teachers are women. The level of educated women rises every year.

As of 1 March 2,203 people in the country have received unemployed benefits.

Distribution of unemployed and people receiving unemployed benefits per cities and districts of Azerbaijan as of 1 March 2006 (in people)

Average monthly unemployed allowances made up 49.1 manats, or 37.7% of average salary. 5 people pretended at one job place. Since February 1,459 have been employed.