Russia: Consumers prefer snacks in packages

79,4% of consumers prefer buying natural snacks in packages, and 15,6% choose these products in jars, according to the data of company «Caraway Foods» dealing in snack products output.

Snacks sold by weight (7,8% of consumers) and products in boxes (6,2%) are popular among those who are interested in the most advantageous offers of price.

(Novosti Torgovli, 2007, issue 9)

Russia: 40% of pollees trust advertising

About 40% of Russians trust various types of advertising in full or partially, according to the data of Internet survey of the company Nielsen.

Sponsorship enjoys the highest level of confidence in Russia — 81% of pollees confide in it in full or partially. 49% of pollees trust sponsorship in the world as a whole. 75% of the interviewed Russians trust recommendations of other consumers (78% is a figure in the world as a whole), 59% (60%) — Internet sites of brands, 57% (61%) — opinions about goods and services of other Internet users, under 50% — advertising in newspapers, magazines, on television and radio (63%, 56%, 56% and 54% accordingly).

(Sostav.ru, 04.10.07)

Russia: Minimum salary will be increased in Moscow

As the first deputy mayor of Moscow Yury Roslyak stated, the minimum salary in Moscow will grow to the minimum subsistence level by September 1, 2008 and make up 7500 rubles.

Minimum salary in Moscow made up 5400 rubles from May 1, 2007 and reached 6100 rubles from September 1, 2007. Growth of minimum salary will be secured by expenditures of state budget for 2008.

(Tverskaya, 13, 18.09.07)

Russia: The Russian citizens expend for the food 50-74% of their incomes

As it was shown by an investigation, realized in July of 2007 by the Central Information Institute (named in Russian ВЦИОМ), 41% of the Russian citizens expend for the food 50-74% of their incomes, 32% expend for the food 25-49% of their incomes, 16% — almost 100%, 5% — less than 25% of their incomes.

In the questioning participated 1,6 thousand persons from 153 inhabited localities.

Russia: The average incomes of the Moscow inhabitants have increased by 2,4%

According tj the data presented by the Moscow Statistic Committee named Mosgorstat, in the first half-year of 2007 the average income of the capital city?s inhabitant was equal to 29,156 thousand rubles, that is 2,4% more than in January — June of the last year(taking into account the growth of the customer?s prices). This year the highest wages were noted in the financial organizations (56,059 thousand rubles), in the enterprises of communication and commerce, the lowest — in the educational institutions (16,130 thousand rubles), as well as in the organizations of public health, social services and scientific researches.

(Tverskaya, 13, 09.08.07)

Russia: About customer attitude to outdoor advertising

Only 17% of the Russians trust the famous people they see on advertising extensions, according to the data of experts.

Famous sportsmen enjoy customer confidence most of all (40% respondents). About 33% of the Russians trust doctors, 17%  famous actors, 5%  showbiz stars, 5%  politicians.

(Profil, June 2007, issue 21)

Russia: Salaries grow faster than productivity

Salaries in Russia went up by 15.5 percent in the first quarter of 2007, while labor productivity increased only by 7.8 percent, according to the data of the Ministry of Economic Development.

Salaries increased by 28.4 percent, with the inflation correction — by 18.5 percent for the past 12 months, according to Rosstat data. The fastest salaries growth is recorded in trade, i.e. 34.3 percent, 31.4 percent in health protection and social services, the lowest one — in the railroad sector, i.e. by 10.6 percent.

(Vedomosti, 29.05.07)

Russia: 66 percent of Muscovites do not save money

Muscovites with the average income from US$ 1,5ths per capita prefer to spend money rather than save or invest it, 66 percent of respondents do not save money at all, according to the research results of the consulting group Market Up and advertising agency SAUCE Strategy (Sorek group). Approximately every sixth representative of this group said that he was paying off mortgage credit, almost every tenth – auto credit, somewhat more than 5 percent - consumer credit.

Those who save money with the specific intent plan as a rule to purchase real estate, however, the majority (69 percent) make savings without specific intent, for a rainy day. 83 percent of Muscovites laying aside money place it on bank accounts, 31 percent invest it into real estate, 17 percent – in their own business, 10 percent save it in the form of currency in cash.

(RBC Daily, 25.05.07)

Russia: 67 percent of employees are offered social packages

67 percent of workers at Russian enterprises receive social packages, according to the Romir Monitoring survey. The greatest percentage of these citizens (84 percent) is marked in the Central federal district. Another 28 percent of respondents informed that their companies do not offer social packages, 5 percent – found it difficult to answer.

A social package may embrace various sets of services paid by the company. About 70 percent of respondents declared that their social package includes payment for VHI policy. Another 63 percent of the Russians use a social package to pay for a sick-list and maternity leaves. About 39 percent of employees receive a social package for professional education, 37percent – for a complete payment for a maternity leave, 33 percent – for paying for mobile communication services. Another 25 percent of respondents can use a loan of an enterprise, 20 percent enjoy free travel.

(Companyя, May 2007, issue 19)

Russia: Population will increase by 2m people by 2025

Population in Russia will grow by 2m people by 2025, as compared with 2006, to make up 144.2m, according to the forecast of Ministry of Health and Social Development.

The population growth is supposed to ensure increased birth rate. The rate will increase from 1.3 in 2006 to 1.9 in 2025, according to experts’ estimates.

(Vedomosti, 24.05.07)

Russia: Population saves on rest and buying of things

About 52 percent of residents of Russia denied themselves trips owing to the lack of money and 35 percent – buying things during 2006, according to the VCIOM research.

The population also economizes on medical treatment (33 percent), denies itself trips to friends or relatives (33 percent), visits to entertaining institutions (30 percent).It has been found out that 20 percent economize on buying foodstuffs, 16 percent on receiving guests and 15 percent on paying for education.

(Trud, 19.05.07)

Russia: Population continues reducing

Russian population continues reducing, according to Rosstat data. Experts forecast that population may decrease to 139m by 2016.
As to experts, the main reason of decreasing population is the crisis of family in the country. So, 1113 thousand marriages and 641 thousand divorces were registered in Russia in 2006. The number of young people who do not aim at creating a family officially became half as much during the past several years.

There are 13m men who have never been married and 4m divorced men nowadays in Russia. As to women, about 11m have never been married and 7m are divorced. The average family in Russia consists of 3.2 people (father, mother and one child).

Russia: Experts forecast immigrants’ growth

The introduction of a migration quota may significantly influence Russian population, according to experts’ forecasts of Russian Economic School (RES).

So, if a quota of 250 thousand immigrants per year is introduced, population will decrease to 128.9m people by 2026. The absence of quotas will on the contrary stabilize population already by 2019 on the level of 134.8m people and will make it possible to increase this figure up to 139.3mpeople by 2026.

The population of Russia will make up 131.7m people in 20 years, according to the migration forecast of Rosstat.

(Vedomosti, 08.05.07)

Russia: Index of consumer confidence is rising

The index of consumer confidence reached the greatest level since 2000, minus 3 percent in the first quarter of 2007, according to Rosstat.
At the same time consumers assess changes in economy much more optimistically than in their own financial position. The index of economic situation changes made up 6 percent, that of expected changes – 7 percent, while the index of the changes that took place in personal well-being amounted to minus 5 percent and that of expected changes - minus 2 percent.

At the same time, 59 percent of the pollees in Russia do not believe that life in Russia will on the whole improve during the next year, according to the survey of "Levada-centr". 34 percent of the survey participants assess their financial position as "bad", 56 percent – as "average" and 9 percent - as "good".

(Kommersant, 05.05.07)

Russia: Muscovites like "Big Bon" and "Big lunch" meals

The company TNS Gallup Media conducted a research of knowledge and consumption of quick cooking meals in Moscow in the second half year of 2006.

As a result, it was found out that products of the "Big lunch" brand ("Kukhnya Bez Granits") are the most popular ones in the capital, they are known by 35.6 percent of respondents and bought by 11.7 percent. Ready second courses of "Big Bon" and "Rollton" companies occupy the second place as to their popularity, they were named by 30.8 percent, and these products are preferred by 3.5 percent consumers. They are followed by "Business Lunch" ("Kukhnya Bez Granits") – 27.8 percent and 8.4 percent accordingly, "Big Bon" noodles ("Rollton") – 25.8 percent and 5.2 percent, "Smart Meal" ("Kukhnya Bez Granits") – 17.1 percent and 6.2 percent.

(Industriya Reklami, May 2007, issue 7)

Russia: Average income per capita made up 10950 rubles in the 1st quarter

Average income per capita made up 10.95ths rubles in January-March 2007 in Russia.

30 percent of all income in the country fell to 10 percent of the richest citizens. 2 percent fell to 10 percent of the poorest Russians. Similar indices made up 29.7 percent and 2 percent accordingly in the first quarter of 2006. At the same time population with the average income per capita of over 12 thousand rubles per month increased from 17.3 percent in January-March 2006 to 25.7 percent in the first quarter of this year.

(Vedomosti, 04.05.07)

Russia: 72 percent of population is satisfied with their work

55 percent of Russians are now working, 35 percent among them are involved in permanent journey-work, 12 percent - journey-work for a certain term, 4 percent - journey-work without official hiring procedure, 4percent – are involved in private enterprise, according to VCIOM.
When trying to get a job the majority of respondents consider the size of salary (74percent) as the most important factor, 37 percent look at social guarantees while placing in a job, 28 percent – at the opportunity to fulfill themselves.

Most pollees are satisfied with their jobs (72percent). At the same time 59 percent of citizens are not satisfied with their salaries, 40 percent – with the work of trade unions. About 50 percent of the pollees do not plan to change their places of employment.
1.6ths people in 153 populated areas took part in the survey.

(Vecherniy Peterburg, 07.05.07)

Russia: The law on the minimum wage was approved

The State Duma has approved the draft bill on stage-by-stage increase of the minimum size of labor remuneration (MROT).

Since May 1, 2007 MROT will be increased up to 1400 rub., since September 1 — up to 2300 rub.

(Vedomosti, 19.03.07)

Russia: Rosstat on the population expenditure pattern in 2006

According to the data of Rosstat, the largest item of expenses of the Russian people in 2006 was meat products: 10.7% of the total amount of consumer expenditure fell thereon.

The leading positions in the expenditure pattern also occupied by strong drinks: 7.12%, clothes and underwear – 5.19%, cars – 4.24%, fruits and vegetables – 3.69%, milk and dairy products – 2.84%, footwear – 2.52%, bread and baked goods – 2.5%.

The most important categories forming expenditure pattern for services are public utilities – 8.9%, passenger transportation services – 3.31% and personal services – 2.71%.

(BusinessWeek Russia, 12.02.07)

Russia: 65% of population prefer loose tea

It was detected as a result of questioning carried out by the "Levada-Center" to find out tea consumers preferences that 69% thereof purchase it at least once a month.

30% of them purchase tea two-three times a month. 21% of respondents answered that they never drink tea or not oftener than once in six months.

When purchasing tea, 65% of Russian people prefer loose tea, 36% thereof prefer packaged.

1600 Russian people aged over 18 took part in this questioning.

(Russian Food Market, Feb. 2007, issue 1)

Russia: Healthy life-style becomes popular

According to estimates made by Lowe Counsel, English agency, the main trend of the Russian market at the moment is wellness — aspiration for healthy life-style.

Taking into consideration the fact that domestic consumers like to purchase brand-new things, irrespective of the type of goods, the trend may become widespread in the nearest future.

However, «glamorousness» remains popular as usual among Russian people. Experts found out that most of buyers consider that brand emphasizes social status, therefore goods has to reflect their value outwardly.

(Advertising Industry, January, 2007)

Russia: VCIOM on growth of incomes of population in 2006

All-Russian Center for Public Opinion Studies (VCIOM) carried out a research of growth of incomes of Russian people in 2006.

It was found out as a result thereof that incomes of 48% of Russian people practically didn’t change, incomes of 29% of respondents increased in the last year, those of 20% of the same decreased. At the same time, the majority (59%) in the group of respondents considering themselves to be well-to-do think that incomes increased, and only 6% of them believe that incomes decreased.

Incomes of the group of people considering themselves to have moderate means are more likely to increase in the last year (31% against 15%), and the same for the group of people who are not sufficiently provided for are more likely to decrease (13% against 38%).

It was disclosed also in the research that the younger are respondents, the larger is the share of people among them, whose incomes increased. The share of such respondents among people aged 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-59, over 59 is equal to 43%, 39%, 31%, 26%, 14%, respectively.

Russia: Incomes of the population grew by 10% in 2006

According to Rosstat, the growth of incomes of the Russian population decreased in 2006 from 11.1% to 10%.

Experts explain the growth slowdown by a number of factors, including containment of the growth of incomes of retired people and decrease of incomes of businessmen. According to Rosstat, the nominal average monthly wages reached in 2006 10.7 thousand rubles, which is larger by 24.5% than the same in 2005. Real wages increased by 13.5%.

According to forecasts made by analysts, the wages will continue to grow in future by 1-11% per annum. The growth of money incomes of the population influenced positively the retail turnover growth. The retail turnover grew in 2006 by 13% up to 8.627 trillion rubles.

(Kommersant)

Russia: IEPP made a forecast for the first six months of 2007

Experts of the Institute of Economics of Transition (IEPP) forecast the growth of living standards of the population of Russia in the first six months of 2007.

Real monetary incomes will increase by 10.2% in comparison with the first six months of 2006, real available incomes — by 9.8%, real wages — by 11,5%.

Consumer inflation for the first six months is forecasted at the level of 6%, the growth of the food basket cost — at the level of 9.9% up to 1632 rubles.

In the opinion of IEPP experts, industrial output will increase by 5.3%, investments in fixed assets — by 13.5%.

The average predicted monetary base increase in Russia will be 3%. The ruble exchange rate will be about 26.05 rubles per one US dollar.

(Rossiyskaya Gazeta — business)

Russia: 20% of population place themselves in the middle class

It was found out as a result of questioning 1750 people in 17 regions of Russia carried out by the Institute of Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, that 14% of respondents place themselves in the middle class, in cities — 20% (in 2003 — 25%).

Experts composed also their spare cash means expenditure pattern. 26% of representatives of the middle class answered that they have no spare cash means, 33% buy expensive durable goods, 18% save up money at home for incidental expenses, 16 % keep money with Sberbank, 13% help friends and acquaintances, 13% purchase currency, 6% deposit spare money with commercial banks.

(Izvestiya)

Russia: 80% of consumers are ready to buy convenient food

According to «Business and Marketing», 30% of Russian people associate the notion of convenient food with quickness of preparation, 26% — with easiness of preparation, 25% — with cleanness of preparation, 11% — with simplicity of purchase of food, 5% — with quality of food and 3% — with acceptable price/quality ratio.

At the same time, 24% of Russian people consider that associate the notion of «fast preparation» food is connected, first of all, with possibility to it within 3-5 minutes, 19% — with the food permitting to be engaged in other matters, 18% — with fast food, 14% — with purchase of food in the streets, 12% — with McDonalds meals, 8% — with meals at the work place and 5% — with ready-made food, which maybe quickly heated up.

95% of Russian people are ready to pay additionally for convenient food up to 5% in comparison with the standard product price, 65% of respondents — up to 10%.

The largest demand for convenient food was observed among married women aged from 20 to 35 and working men aged from 22 to 45 residing in large cities.

Over 80% of respondents are ready to buy food products placed among convenient food.

Russia: PwC forecast wage increase

It was found out as a result of a research carried out by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), in which took part the majority of largest Russian companies, the wage level will increase in 2007 by 9-12% in dollars or by 9-13% in rubles.

For comparison, from October, 2004 to October, 2005 the wages grew by 9-14% in dollars or by 11-16% in rubles.

At the same time, labor remuneration of skilled employees in regions approaches gradually the wage level in Moscow.

Russia. Forecast of changing structure of consumption

In accordance with the forecasts, made by the experts of the bank ING, by the year 2013 the structure of consumption in Russia will change completely and will come nearer to the models of the Western Europe countries.

In particular, on the share of foods there will fall not more than 15% of expenses (in the year 1999 — more than 50%, in the year 2005 — 30%). It is supposed that there will sharply decreased the expenditures for all the categories of foods, with exception only of the strong drinks.

It is expected that the increasing prices of energy carriers and housing municipal economy will lead to the increased share of expenses for the services payment from 23% in the year 2005 up to 43% in the year 2911. Also there will grow considerably the volume of expenses for the goods of long use — from 26% in the year  2006 up to 34% in the year 2013.

Russia: The Law on the minimum salary rate increase was passed in the first reading

The State Duma passed in the first reading the bill on the increase since September 1, 2007 of the minimum salary rate (MST) up to 2 thousand rubles per month.

The bill stipulates also inclusion in MST of all types of allowances and fringe benefits to the salary for the public sector employees. It is supposed that regional authorities will permit to increase MST taking into account the local minimum subsistence level.

Russia: Portrait of a typical Russian consumer

"Russian Consumer 360" forum organized by ACNielsen took place on November 20, in which took part representatives of over 100 Russian and international manufacturing companies.

Such strategically important subjects as the Russian consumer profile, FMCG market development trends in Russia, as well as retail trade development trends in Russia and abroad were discussed at the forum.

Here is the consumer profile for the main retail chains:
— Seventh Continent — mainly men aged from 25 tov34 with high level of prosperity
— Kopeyka — mainly women (aged 50 and more)
— Ashan and Pyatyorochka — trading channels visited by all categories of people

The main portion of FMCG market consists of food products — 73%. Strong drinks form the largest segment, 41% of the total sales volume in terms of value, which is followed by confectionery (18%) and dairy products (16%).

Russia: The attitude of the consumers to the advertising actions

The all-Russian investigation of the population attitude to the advertising demonstrated that the attitude of the respondents to the major part of advertising actions is indifferent.

The attitude of the men is more critical than that of the women. The most negative reaction of the Russians is provoked by telephone calls with the proposal of buying some good. This action provokes a clearly expressed disapprobation of 40% of persons which met it during the last month. The 33% of questioned persons express their negative attitude to the advertising SMS-notifications. Especially are discontent by this thing the men (37 %) and the respondents with a high level of income (39 %).

The most liked by the Russians are the tasting and getting gratuitous specimens of goods in shops and in the streets. These advertising actions are positively accepted by 48% of respondents. The most loyal attitude to these actions is inherent to the young persons (52 %). To the question about the influence of the participation in action on the spontaneous acquisition of advertised good the 68 % answered that for them it has no importance. The 31 % made some not-planned purchases after their participation in promoting action. The most often it was made by the inhabitants of towns–millionaires (40 %), by the respondents of young age (43 %) and by the persons with incomplete superior / superior education (43 %).

In the questioning there participated 1600 persons in the age of 18 years and older, in more than 100 towns and settlements of Russia, in all the federal districts.

Russia: The incomes of the populations for 9 months have grown by 11,8%

In accordance with the data presented by the Ministry of economic development and commerce (MERT) of the Russian Federation, during nine months of 2006 the real wages of the country’s population have grown by 12,8 %, in September of this year — by 13,6 %.

The growth of the incomes of the Russians in January — September reached 11,8 % in comparison with 9,4 % for the analog period of 2005.

Russia: The wages in rubles have grown during one year by 11 — 18 %

The company Ernst & Young effectuated an investigation between 121 Russian and foreign companies with the purpose of studying the growth of the labor payment of employees.

The results showed that since June 2005 up to July 2006 the amount of wages of employees, paid in rubles, grew by 11 — 18 %, in USA dollars — by 10 — 12 %. The share of companies, where the wages are fixed in rubles, grew by 8 % — up to 56 %, in dollars — diminished down to 22 %. More and more often the employers use for the increase of the wages the system of bonuses.

The analysts give the forecast that in 2006 the bonus part of wages can grow up to 18 — 32 % of the total salary. For June 2005 the bonuses formed 9 — 19 % of the annual earning.

The experts of Ernst & Young notify that little by little there is becoming more and more reduced the difference between the wages in Moscow and in the regions. For example, the wages of the specialists in the Moscow province grew during this period from 70 % up to 98 % of the Moscow level, in the Western Siberia — from 61 % up to 68 %.

Russia: The most often in Russia are falsified the foods

The major part of Russians are sure that the goods are falsified often, and more than a half of them recently met some falsified goods themselves.

The 84 % of Russians, questioned by the Fund Public opinion“, think that today in Russia the falsified goods are being sold often. Only the 4 % of them said that similar products are met rarely and else 4 % - that similar products do not exist at all. And more than a half (54 %) of respondents say that the national and the foreign goods are being falsified with the same frequency.

The leaders of falsification are the foods. This opinion is expressed by 44 % of questioned persons. More than a half (53 %) of the participants in questioning declared that during the last year it happened to them to acquire some falsified goods ( foods — 17 %, medicaments — 9 %, footwear — 7 %, clothes — 6 % and so on).

One third of those, to which it happened to acquire some falsification (17 % of selection), tried either to exchange it or to get back the paid money. The 9 % succeeded, the 8 % — not.

Russia: The consumption expenses are growing

The stable economic growth and the augmentation of the wages lead to the increase of consumption expenses in Russia. In September 2006 the average monthly wages reached US4 415, by 13,6 % more than in 2005.

In the same time the economic growth after the financial crisis of 1998 reached 6,6 % on the average. The development of the market of consumption crediting influenced favorably the growth of consumption expenses, and the low prices of dwelling and of public utilities led to the increase of the share of net income in the wages. The foreign consumption groups are more and more attracted by the Russian retail market which soon will become by its size the ninth in the world. In accordance with the forecasts, given by the agency Economist Intelligence Unit, by the year 2010 the retail market will reach US$ 526 mlrd. in comparison with US$ 245 in 2005.

Russia: Muscovites prefer ready dishes for breakfast

Research company “Tochka rosta” has questioned residents of Moscow trying to find out their preferences among foods intended for breakfast. As a result they discovered that all the interviewees at least sometimes eat for breakfast kinds of instant oatmeal, yogurts, cereals, muesli. 44% of respondents eat for breakfast ready dishes every day. At that 28% (−7% by the year of 2005) cook the oatmeal on their own, 27.6% (+19.6%) prefer instant oatmeal. 22% of respondents (−21%) make fried eggs. Consumption of yogurts grew during this year up to 57% (+24%). Only consumption for breakfast of sandwiches remained stabile is compared with the year of 2005 — 41% prefer them (−1% by the year of 2005).

Russia: Minimal set of products in June 2006

As Rosstat (Russian Agency for Statistics) informs, in June 2006 the value of minimal set of foods in Russian Federation amounted to 1511.9 rubles.

The value of minimal set of foods a little bit differs in various federal regions:

• Central federal region — 1534.2 rubles (101% of average Russian value);
• North-Western federal region — 1604.8 (106%);
• Southern federal region — 1399.3 (93%);
• Volga federal region — 1360.3 (90%);
• Urals federal region — 1596.7 (106%);
• Siberia federal region — 1527.5 (101%);
• Far-Eastern federal region — 2096.5 (139%).

Russia: Women buy twice as often as men

According to Agency of Corporate Management the most active buying capacity of married population falls to 35–50 years old, which is 47% of all sales. In the structure of purchase of nonfoods women take 32%, men — 15%.

Agency of Corporate Management has defined that women make decision on buying twice as often as men.

Russia: Salaries of the budgetary sphere employees in Moscow will grow by 15%

From September 1, 2006 the salaries of the employees of budgetary sphere of Moscow will be increased by 15%. The relative law is approved by Mosgorduma. In accordance with the document, the rate of the first category of the tariff scale will increase by 330 rubles up to 2,530 rubles, the rate of the 18^th category — up to 11,385 thousand rubles. There will increase proportionally the salaries of other categories.

Russia: 52% of russian citizens will spend their holiday in the homeland

According to the questioning effectuated by VTsIOM, 52% of Russian citizens are planning not to leave their country during the summer holiday. In the same time, among the questioned persons, whose income is more than 5 thousand rubles, there remain in Moscow during the holiday only 27%.

34%, if disposing of sufficient means, would prefer in quality of summer holiday place the far foreign countries, 32% — the Black Sea shore in Russia. The rest abroad is chosen by 50% of questioned persons having the incomes more than 5 thousand rubles, 32% of respondents are planning to go in a sanatorium, 35% prefer the rest on a beach, 25% — in holiday hotels and rest homes. Fishing, walking tours and hunting were chosen by 22%, in a country-cottage or at home will spend their holiday 16% and 17% respectively.

Russia: To the share of the richest citizens there fell 29.7% of the incomes

In January-March, 2006, to the share of 10% of the richest citizens of Russia there fell 29.7% of the whole of incomes in the country. To the share of 10% of the poorest Russians there fell 2% of incomes.

For the first quarter of 2005 the analog indices were equal to 29.7% and 2.1% respectively. With all this, the share of the population having the average per capita income more than 7 thousand rubles monthly grew from 31.1% in January-March, 2005, up to 41.4% in the first quarter of the current year.

According to the situation at the beginning of April, 2006, the average pension in Russia was equal to 2,539.4 rubles, that is 9.4% more than one year ago. With adjustment for inflation, the pension reduced by 1.1% as compared with the analog period of 2005.

Russia: 55% of citizens are ready to economize on entertainments

According to the data of the global investigation, effectuated by the company ACNielsen among 23,500 respondents belonging to the number of regular Internet-users in 42 countries of the world (including Russia), 55% of Russians for stabilization of their financial situation are ready to renounce the entertainments outside the home. About 45% of respondents will economize on their wardrobe, 44% — on the technical equipment, 34% — on the leave of absence, 20% — on the expenses for mobile communication. Nearly 18% of Russians are ready to pass to using cheaper products in case of financial difficulties, 17% will buy cheaper brands of alcoholic products, 11% will economize on their personal transport means, 9% will reduce the expenses for smoking.

Russia: 42% of citizens lay money in store

In accordance with the data of the study, effectuated by the Russian Center of Studying Public Opinion (RCSPO) under order of the Agency of Insurance of deposits in 2005, every month in the hands of 40% of population, whose incomes vary from 4,000 rubles up to 8,000 rubles monthly, remain free resources. Thus, the average annual volume of the free money of this category of citizens can reach nearly 600 billion rubles.

In accordance with the data of RCSPO, 42% of Russians lay money in store, 36.3% — to purchase dear things, 14.9% — for the rest and the medical treatment, 13.9% — for a reparation, 11.7% — for education, 4.8% — for immobility, 4.7% — to purchase a motor car, 1.1% — to receive an interest income.

Russia: Statistic institution Mosgorstat about the incomes of the inhabitants of Moscow

In accordance with the data presented by Mosgorstat, at the end of 2005 the amount of average wages in Moscow was equal to 2 thousand 886 rubles. If compared with the previous year, the wages of the inhabitant of Moscow increased by 21% or by 7.8%, taking into account the inflation.

The lowest wages in Moscow — in the sector of public health and school education — 11 thousand 462 rubles and 10 thousand 286 rubles respectively. The highest — in the bank sphere (35 thousand 581 rubles), the branch of communication (23 thousand 824 rubles) and in the trade (21 thousand 293 rubles).

In 2005 the average level of monetary incomes of the 10% of the most prosperous inhabitants of Moscow exceeded the income level of the 10% of the poorest population group by 39.6 times.