Belarusians start eating more meat

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The incomes of Belarusians’ have grown by seven (!) times this. The Belarusian statistics committee calls the population’s incomes one of the main criteria of well-being.

"The real income has increased by 21% compared to 2011", - says Head of the Statistics Department of the standard of living of the population and household surveys of the Belarusian statistics committee Ina Kanashonak. The real income is a salary adjusted to consumer prices.

It’s impossible to assess the welfare of Belarusians without pensioners, as they make a quarter of the population - 2.5 million Belarusians receive pensions.

"The pension has increased by 64% and it increased four times within the year! An average pension in 2012 amounted to 1.8 million roubles," - says Ina Kanashonak, optimistically. A quarter of the population lives on $ 220 a month, but the pension increased four times.

In addition to that, this year Belarusians bought more computers, TVs and micro-wave ovens. We buy more computers than TVs. Meanwhile, Belarusians have to spend more on consumer goods - 1.5 million roubles a month per person (in 2011, it was Br 150 thousand less). The essence of shopping has not changed: people spend 43% on food, 2.6% - on alcohol, 37% - on non-consumer goods.

"This is due to higher prices and increased consumption of products. For example, Belarusians began to eat more meat, fish, fruit and vegetables," - says the National Statistics Committee.

Employees of the National Statistics Committee, who calculate the welfare of the Belarusians, had no answer to Euroradio’s offer to rate their own quality of life:

"You're asking me? I do not keep such statistics - I have enough of statistics at work. However, I do not notice any significant changes. When I need to buy something, I buy it. I may postpone this purchase, but I will make it in the end", - says Head of the Statistics Department of the standard of living of the population and household surveys of the Belarusian statistics committee.  

We asked the same question to the ordinary citizens of Minsk:

"Things got worse, you know who has benefited from this - the red-tie officials. Milk – a new price every day, cheese - new prices, the housing problem is not resolved, as prices rise. I retired - and I work! And my son works to collect some money. And you're talking about well-being? For whom? "