Social sector (january-april 2010)

Community income

According to the data provided by the State Statistics Committee of Azerbaijan, in January-April 2010, the nominal income of the population totaled AZN 7320.0 million which is 8.6% more as compared to January-April 2009.

During this period, the nominal per capita income made up AZN 823.1, which exceeds the figure in 2009 by 7.4%. The rise in salaries in various spheres of economy and rise in social benefits also contributed to the growth in population income. However, despite the growing indicators, the growth rate of population's incomes has declined. Thus, in January-April 2010 the nominal income of the population compared to the same period of 2009 grew by 20.3 percent and per capita income - by 18.9 percent.

Major indices, characterizing money incomes of the population

Source: State Statistics Committee

In January-April 2010, Azerbaijani citizens distributed their income in following way: 71% on purchase of goods and services, 10.2% - obligatory payment and fees, 17.1% - purchase of foreign currency and increase of savings.  

Real community incomes after the payment of taxes and membership fees made up 6575.3mln manat, or 9.2% more than last year. Real per capita community income made up AZN 739.3 with rise of 7.9%.

Thus, during the reported period the money expenditure comprised AZN 5943.8mln or AZN 1376.2mln less than the incomes of population, but 12.4% more than the expenses in 2009. (Source: State Statistics Committee, calculations by Trend)

Salary

The salary is one of the key social and economic indicators, which sufficiently enough characterizes the level of the prosperity of the working part of the population. Thus, the amount of average monthly salary in Azerbaijan in January-April 2010 comprised AZN 309.8 or 1.9% more than the same period of 2009. There is a decline in growth rates of salary as well. Thus, compared with 2008, in January-April 2009 the salary rose by 24.5 percent.

In spite of rise in salaries of various organizations, this indicator retains its differentiation across the country. The highest salary accounts for industry, finance, operations with real estate, rent and consumer services and construction sector.

Employees of enterprises and organizations received social benefits in amount of 3.6mln manat. Major beneficiaries were employees of the extractive industry, energy, gas and water producing and distributing enterprises, refining industry, transport and communications.

Labor market

As of May 1, 2010, the economically active people in Azerbaijan made up 4,335,200 with 4,075,600 involved in economy.

As of April 1, the number of foreign people working on the basis of individual permits totaled 6,386 people, with 6,012 - men and 374 - women. During the same period of last year, the number of guest workers totaled 5,000 people.

As of May 1, 2010 there were 40,500 unemployed people, with 43.6% women in Azerbaijan. Five people applied for one vacancy in the country. The average unemployment benefit made up 162.9 manat.

Distribution of unemployed individual and those who receive unemployment benefit in regions as of May 1, 2010

Source: State Statistics Committee

During the first quarter, 17,017 new jobs, including 12,578 permanent jobs. Were created in Azerbaijan. From 1 January 2009 to 1 April 1 2010, 90,630 new jobs were opened, including 67,093 permanent jobs.

Of permanent new jobs created in January-March, 14.9 percent accounted for new enterprises and organizations, 16.2 percent - existing enterprises and organizations, 0.7 percent - enterprises which have re-established their activities, 68.2 percent - jobs created by individuals.

Of created new jobs, 92.2 percent accounted for the private sector. Most of new jobs was created in non-oil sector, including 6.2 percent in construction, 4.2 percent in retail and whole sale, car repair, 3.4 percent in processing industry, 2.0 percent in transport and storage, 1.9 percent in agriculture and others.

Pension provision

As of April 1, 1,301,000 pensioners were registered in Azerbaijan, with 65 percent pensioners for age, 24 percent for disability and 11 percent for losing family head. Only 0.5 percent of pensioners were registered in the first quarter.  

The level of average pension increased by two percent or 101.02 manat compared to the same period of last year, which makes up 33 percent of the level of average monthly wage in the country.

According to the data provided by the State Social Protection Fund of Azerbaijan, 411 million manat was allocated to finance pensions and benefits in January-March, which is 10.4 million manat or 2.6 percent more than the first quarter of 2009. Of that amount, 400.4 million manat were spent to finance pensions and 10.6 million manat - benefits.

Of the allocated funds, 4 million manat was spent to finance benefits for pregnancy and childbirth, 3 million manat - for temporary disability, 2.1 million manat for the funeral expenses, 1.5 million manat - other benefits.

Social provision

According to the data provided by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Azerbaijan, in the first quarter, social benefits were identified for 294,000 people in the total amount of 10.1 million manat. The number of people receiving benefits for age was 17,700, disability - 92,900, loss of family head - 33,700 people, number of children under age 18 receiving benefits due to limitations of health made 58,000 people during the reported period.

Also during this period of 56,100 persons not entitled to pension benefits received allowances for public utilities, transportation and other costs, as well as 952 caregivers of children orphaned, 11,400 families were entitled to allowances for 22,100 children. During the first quarter, 33,200 people who have special merits before the country received one-time benefit in amount of 3,070,600 manat.

As of 1 April, 757,100 members of 165,700 families received targeted social assistance (TSA), with 388,300 women, 375,000 children. The average monthly benefit per person totaled 25.09 manat.