Social sector in Azerbaijan (January-November 2015)

Population's income

According to the Azerbaijani State Statistics Committee, the nominal income of the population totaled 36.770 billion manat in January-November 2015, which is 5.7 percent more compared to January-November 2014.

Thus, during this period, the nominal income of the population per capita increased by 4.4 percent and hit 3860,5 manat.

Major indices, characterizing income of the population

Source: State Statistics Committee

The population's income after paying all required fees and membership fees made up 33.291 billion manat, which is 5.6 percent more than in January-November 2014. Real income per capita increased by 4.4 percent to 3495,2 manat.

Azerbaijani citizens spent 75.7 percent of income on goods and services, 9.5 percent - to pay for taxes, duties, social and insurance fees, 3 percent - to pay off the loans and compulsory membership fees, 11.8 percent - to accumulate the capital.

The population's expenditure amounted to 33.535 billion manat in January-November 2015 or 3.235 billion manat less than the income of the population.

The gap in income and expenditure of the population in favor of income testifies to the growth of material well-being of Azerbaijani citizens. The differentiation in the population's income and the availability of the Gini coefficient in the country should be taken into account.

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. According to the Azerbaijani State Statistics Committee, the average monthly salary in Azerbaijan in January-October 2015 comprised 462 manat compared to 441.8 manat in January-October 2014.

Remuneration in the oil sector reached 2119 manat per month, the non-oil sector - 421,7 manat, the public sector - 357,2 manat, the private sector - 608,2 manat as of November 1, 2015.

The highest salary was observed in the mining industry, financial, information and communication, scientific and technical activity, as well as the construction sectors.

Around 98,500 people were involved in the Azerbaijani construction sector in January-October 2015. The average monthly salary in the construction sector amounted to 672,2 manat, which is 7.4 percent more than in the same period of 2014.

The average monthly salary in state sector amounted to 510,5 manat (a 1.5 percent decrease per year), private companies - 730,3 manat (with an increase of 8.5 percent).

The level of wages in the construction of buildings decreased by 2.6 percent in January-October 2015 - an average of 539,8 manat, specialized construction (increased by 29 percent) - up to 1195,3 manat compared to the same period of 2014.

Labor market

As of December 1, 2015, some 29,000 people were officially registered as unemployed in Azerbaijan, including 38.6 percent women, the Azerbaijani State Statistics Committee's report said. The number of unemployed in the country increased by 0.35 percent compared to the same period of 2014.

The average monthly unemployment benefit in Azerbaijan is 268.5 manat.

Distribution of unemployed individuals and those who receive unemployment benefit in towns and regions as of December 1, 2015 (people):

As of December 1, 2015, the economically active population totaled 4.91 million people, of which 4.67 million people were engaged in labour activity.

Thus, as of November 1, 2015, the number of hired employees hit over 1.5 million people, including 877,900 people worked in the public sector, and 626,800 people - in private sector.

The number of people working in the oil sector amounted to 34,600 people, in the non-oil sector - 1.47 million people.

Around 21.6 percent fall to the hired employees involved in the production spheres: 6.5 percent in construction, 6.4 percent in manufacturing industry, 3 percent in agriculture, forestry and fishing, 2.3 percent - in the mining industry, 1.7 percent - in the production and distribution of electricity, gas and steam, 1.7 percent - in water supply, waste recycling, 22.3 percent in education, 18.9 percent - trade, repair of vehicles, 8.9 percent - medical and social services, 6.7 percent in state governance and defense, social maintenance, 4.9 percent - transportation and warehousing, 3.8 percent - recreation, entertainment and arts, 3.9 percent - professional, scientific and technical activities, 1.8 percent - communication and information, 2 percent - financial and insurance activities, 1 percent - real estate transactions, 1.6 percent - administrative and additional services, 1.5 percent - tourist accommodation and catering and 1.1 percent - other areas.

The Azerbaijani government continues taking measures to increase employment. The State Employment Service under the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population provided 27,146 unemployed job seekers with jobs in January-November.

During the reporting period, some 3,977 people attended the vocational training courses through the service. Some 1,595 more people were involved in the paid public work, 3,774 people - temporary work. Some 27,146 unemployed and job seekers have been provided with jobs through the State Employment Service since early 2015.

Social Security

According to the Azerbaijani State Social Protection Fund, the number of families in Azerbaijan receiving targeted social assistance decreased by 3.8 percent during a month.

The number of families receiving targeted social assistance decreased by 4,300 and amounted to 108,094 in November compared to October.

The number of family members [receiving targeted social assistance] decreased by 4.1 percent, or 20,000 people - up to 466,131. The reason is that the social assistance system has been improved. The social assistance is granted only to those families who really need it and whose needs exceed revenues.

More than 30,000 families, receiving social assistance, have three or more children, 9,152 families - displaced people.

Some 32,762 of the total number of members of families receiving targeted social assistance are disabled people and children under 18 with disabilities. In general, 47.6 percent or more than 222,000 people receiving targeted social assistance are children, including 5,441 people - children under 1 year old.

Despite a decrease in the number of families receiving targeted social assistance, the amount continues growing. The average monthly social assistance increased by 15 percent - up to 153.22 manat in November 2015 compared to the same period of 2014.