SOCIAL SECTOR

According to the State Statistics Committee, in January to May 2005 net money incomes of the population grew 19.6% and comprised 4043.7m manats. Per capita incomes comprised 485.1 manats with a rise of 18.3%.

The researches by the State Statistics Committee showed that in the first quarter of 2006 54% of community was formed at the expense of employment, 17% - agriculture activities, 1.4% - rent, 12.3% - pension and social benefits, 15.3% - other sources.

Major indices, characterizing money incomes of the population

Source: State Committee Statistics

In this period the community expenses were as follows: 69.7% (2,818,45m. AZN), was spent on consumer demand, 11.7% (473.1m AZN) - obligatory payments and fees, 18.6% (752,13 РјР"РЅ. AZN) - purchase of foreign currency and deposits.

In rural areas expenses for foodstuff exceeded 6.1% the similar expenses in the city. As compared to rural areas the expenses for transport were higher 2%, while for communications 1.2%.

Real incomes left after payment of taxes and obligatory fees made up 3569.8m manats over the first 5 months of 2006, which is 19.5% more than last year. Real per capita incomes made up 428,2 manats (+18.2%).

Thus, in January to May 2006 the community incomes at the expense of economy of expenses for purchase of goods and services exceeded expenses by 750.2m manats, or 20.4% up than last year (2734.9m AZN), and made up 3,293,5m manats. Expenses made up 2628.1m manats.

Source: State Statistics Committee

In this period average wage exceeded the average per capita incomes by 37.8% a month. Thus, average monthly salary of employee involved in the economy made up 133.7 manats, or $148.6% more than last year, which exceeded its amount fixed 5 months ago by 20.3%.

However, there is high differentiation in the payment of salaries of employees on types of economic activities. The salaries of rural employees are lower than those involved in the refinery industry. The highest salary rate was fixed in extractive industry, as well as financial, leasing and commerce, construction sectors

The social payment at work places made up 2.5m manats in January to May 2006. Major part of benefits fell on employees of electricity gas and water supply, transport, store economy, communications and education.

Labor market

As to situation in the labor market in Azerbaijan in January to May 2006, the official statistics urges he number of employed in the economic made up 3866,900, 32.5% of which were the hired. 1/5 of the hired were involved in big enterprises in the material production sector.

In January to April 2006, the special weight of the hired in the financial sector rose 17.4% as compared to last year figure, construction 8.1%, production and distribution of energy water and gas 7.3%, refining industry, service sector, sector of operation with property 6%, agriculture and forestry 4.1%.

In this period the number of employees of state service rose 14.8% as compared to last year and made up 25,600 people, 28.2% of which were women. 2.9% of state officers are involved in administrative positions on 1-4 categories, 80.6% - on 5-9 categories, 16.5% - subsidiary positions. The average age of those employed in the state bodies (58.8%) varies between 25 to 34 years.

As of 1 June 2006 a total of 55,557 people were registered at the employment services, whereas as of 1 May they have numbered 55,741 people, demonstrating cut by 184 people. The similar tendency has been observed since April, when the number of officially unemployed reduced 636 people. It occurred either at the expense of increase of the number of the able people, or unwillingness of the employed to get registered at the employment services. 5 people claimed at one vacancy. If to observe the statistics of opening of new jobs in the capital and regions, one can conclude that the growth pace of opening of new jobs was higher than growth pace of labor resources and economically population.

Average unemployed benefit comprises 49.8 manats, which is 35.4% of average monthly salary of employees. As of early June the unemployed receiving respective benefits constituted 2,756, or around 5%.

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