The average annual cost of living for the working population. What is the cost of living in Russia
Many of our fellow citizens are interested in trying to understand this issue in more detail.
Probably every Russian has heard of such a concept as the minimum cost of living. But not everyone understands what exactly it means, why it is needed and how this amount is calculated.
What it is?
The cost of living in our country involves determining the real value of the so-called conditional consumer basket. In other words, this is the amount of the amount a person needs every month in order to satisfy his minimum needs in terms of nutrition and providing the necessary conditions for survival.
The concept of "living wage" is mainly statistical in nature and serves to identify the standard of living and income of the population. Thus, there are two main groups of people - poor and not poor. The first category includes citizens whose monthly income is below the minimum subsistence level. The second category of the population is citizens whose income exceeds the amount set as the “living wage”.
in Moscow
If we consider the issue from the point of view of the realities of life of Russian citizens, in particular people living in the capital, the amount recognized by the state as a "living wage" is not enough for a Muscovite to provide himself with essential goods. Most of the residents of our main metropolis, according to numerous social surveys, argue that this amount is sorely lacking to live on them for one calendar month.
In addition, it is believed that Moscow is very understated.
Nevertheless, the state clearly defined the list of needs that a Russian citizen is experiencing, and the satisfaction of which is the main condition for his survival. The so-called minimal consumer basket is “filled” with these needs.
The composition of the minimum consumer basket
This concept conditionally includes two categories of the simplest needs of Moscow citizens per person. The first category includes necessary food products, and the second - non-food products, as well as services. A table on the cost of living in Moscow will be presented below.
The quantity and volume of these needs for the working-age population is determined for a year. This list includes:
- bread, as well as other bakery products, cereals, pasta, legumes, etc. - 127 kg;
- potatoes - 101 kg;
- vegetables - 115.5 kg;
- fruits and berries - 61.5 kg;
- sugar, as well as confectionery - 23 kg;
- meat and meat semi-finished products - 57.5 kg;
- fish - 19.5 kg;
- dairy products - 295 kg;
- eggs - 220 pieces;
- various types of oil (vegetable, cream, etc.) - 12 kg;
- tea, coffee, spices, salt, etc. - 5.5 kg.
Non-food group
What else affects the minimum subsistence level in Moscow? Non-food basket. It contains, as a rule, clothes, household items and personal hygiene, as well as various types of services, including utilities. This group includes:
- outerwear - 3 pieces for 7.5 years;
- light outerwear - 7 pieces for 4.5 years;
- linen - 10 pieces for 2.5 years;
- socks, tights, etc. - 6 pieces for 1.5 years;
- hats, haberdashery - 4 pieces for 6 years;
- shoes - 5 pairs for 3.5 years;
- writing instruments - 2 pieces for 1 year;
- household and various household goods - 18 pieces for 11 years;
- bedding and sleeping accessories - 13 pieces for 8 years;
- sanitation and personal hygiene items, as well as medicines - 11% of the amount of money spent monthly on non-food items.
In Moscow, in addition to food and non-food items, it also includes some services. In accordance with the law and the size of the "living wage" in the capital, one adult able-bodied person annually needs:
- provision of living space - 18 square meters;
- residential heating - 6.9 Gcal;
- water (both cold and hot, including sanitation) - 285.5 liters per day;
- electricity - 50 kWh;
- gas supply - 11 cubic meters (monthly);
- use of vehicles - 628 times a year;
- cultural services, sports, etc. - 5% of the monthly amount provided for payment of services;
- other services - 16% of the monthly amount used to pay for services.
What is the minimum cost of living in Moscow, not every resident of the capital knows.
Minor Benefits
In accordance with legislation and regulations approved specifically for residents of the capital, the subsistence level is also used to calculate for citizens certain social benefits that are provided for by federal laws and other regulatory legal acts. It can be:
- additional cash benefits for the birth of children to young families (in order to stimulate the birth rate in the country);
- monthly cash assistance to people who find themselves in a difficult life situation a lump sum payment in the form of compensation for reimbursement of expenses associated with the adoption of children;
- monthly child allowance;
- utility payments subsidies;
- monthly payments to single mothers in the form of compensation in connection with an increase in the cost of living.
The size of these benefits can also affect the cost of living in Moscow.
Objectives of establishing a living wage
In addition to the above payments, the cost of living is also taken into account when calculating social scholarships for students from low-income families, when registering for programs to improve housing conditions, calculating subsidies for paying for the use of premises, providing legal assistance free of charge, etc.
The minimum cash payment for life is also calculated for different categories of the population, which include:
- able-bodied citizens;
- pensioners;
- children.
For each of them in the capital there is a separate living wage, the value of which is determined in accordance with the special needs of citizens belonging to a certain category. Subsequently, this value is taken into account in the process of assessing the living standards of Moscow residents, as well as for planning the implementation of social support for those in need.
Features of calculating the minimum cost of living in Moscow
This amount is calculated in accordance with the results of the past quarter and is based on special data received by state statistics bodies for the city of Moscow on the level of food prices, as well as non-food items necessary for citizens.
The subsistence minimum is determined quarterly by a government decree, and comes into force from the moment it is published in official sources.
Value for different categories of Muscovites
This amount is calculated individually for different categories of the population of Moscow. Thus, there are three types of living wage:
- for able-bodied citizens;
- for pensioners;
- for children.
For the latter, the cost of living is minimal, but it is maximum for the working population of the city of Moscow.
The cost of a conditional consumer basket in the capital is slightly higher than in other regions of Russia. This is because life in this city is much more expensive.
As a result, the cost of living here is 17 674 rubles for able-bodied Muscovites, 13 453 rubles for children, and 10 874 rubles for people of retirement age.
This question is rather difficult. Although the standards are established by the state, they are still constantly changing. Therefore, these changes have to be carefully monitored. As a rule, if a person does not have that very minimum, he can be recognized as needy. In Russia, state support is provided for such citizens. So what is included in the cost of living? How much is it at the moment? What must every citizen of the country be provided with without fail? About all this further!
By categories
To be honest, our today's question includes a huge number of features. What is included in the cost of living in Russia for 2016? For starters, this is cash. They are usually accepted in the first place to understand by "minimum".
Just the size of these is constantly changing. Moreover, much depends on which category of citizens you belong to. In Russia, this is taken into account. So, for example, for children the indicator will be one, and for the able-bodied population - completely different. Where did this rule come from?
All this was invented on the basis of human needs in a given period of life. The cost of living should ensure a normal life for the citizen. So to speak, to supply it with the most necessary for life and health without excesses and luxury. More specifically, how much money is currently allocated to certain categories of citizens?
Money
It has already been said that the cost of living, at least in monetary terms, is constantly changing. You have to find out the exact information for a specific period of time. At the moment, this figure has increased slightly. In any case, for some individuals.
In the 1st quarter of 2016, there were 9,776 rubles per capita. It is for this amount that you will have to provide yourself with life. If you think about it, not so much (given the constant rise in prices in Russia). But pensioners were less fortunate. For them, at least a month amounted to only 8,025 rubles.
Two more categories of citizens for whom the minimum monetary expression has different meanings are the able-bodied population and children. The first put 10 524 rubles, and the second - 9 677 rubles. Such standards are currently set in Russia. Now it’s clear how much the cost of living is for 2016 (1 quarter) in monetary terms. But do not rush to rejoice!
Does not converge
Why? The whole problem is that in most cases a decent standard of living for the indicated amounts is simply impossible to provide. Prices are only rising, and rapidly. At the same time, the income of citizens decreases. And if it rises, then he does not keep pace with the price growth rate. Therefore, “surviving” can be very difficult.
By the way, Russia is perhaps the only country where the “minimum for living” exceeds the minimum wage of the population. This is not too good. To think about how much a living wage is in the country, it makes almost no sense when you have not too high earnings. Or he is average, but in the family you have a lot of members.
Nevertheless, from somewhere after all this very minimum is taken! He’s not just being invented in the government! Really. After all, there are some features and moments that are included in the cost of living. Just for the amounts indicated above. In any case, the state believes that citizens should "fit" into them for monthly expenses.
Consumer basket
All this thanks to a developed system called the consumer basket. It includes everything that should be provided to citizens for normal life. And nothing depends on your desires - no personal preferences or frills! Please note: the calculation of the consumer basket takes into account a period of 12 months!
What is included in the cost of living? These are goods and services that provide a certain (minimum) standard of living for the population, taking into account the life of some items. Consumer basket also depends on the category of citizens. And it includes three main components: products, non-food goods and services. Now in Russia there are rules established back in 2013. So far, the consumer basket has not changed. In any case, it is assumed that it is valid until 2018. What is included in it? It is better to consider possible options for the able-bodied population. It is it that makes up the bulk of the country's inhabitants.
Products
A huge role (and a large proportion of the population) is played by able-bodied citizens. Already by the monetary minimum, it is clear that such persons rely on the most resources and services. So it is here that the biggest indicators will be.
First of all, pay attention to a set of products. Consumer basket indicates only the most necessary components. It doesn’t matter if you use this or that component or not. According to the minimum, able-bodied citizens are required (in kilograms):
- bread products - 126.5;
- potatoes - 100.4;
- vegetables - 114;
- fruit - about 60;
- sugar and "confectionery" - by 24;
- 58.5 meat products, 19 - fish;
- dairy products - almost 300 (more precisely, 290);
- 210 eggs;
- fats (margarine, oils and so on) - 10.
Please note: a variety of cereals and pasta are classified as bread products. Also included are legumes, bread, flour, bakery products. In addition, about 5 kilograms are allotted for other “expenses”. Here is a set of products provides our minimum. Other food products include: salt, tea, coffee, a variety of spices. In general, everything that can be eaten, as well as what is not included in the above detailed list.
Not food
What are the essential goods? And what is included in the list of non-food minimum? These include:
- outerwear (coat);
- costume and dress component (upper);
- underwear;
- hats;
- hosiery;
- footwear;
- stationery (including school supplies);
- linens;
- household goods;
- essential goods (medicines, sanitary items).
Accordingly, each of them is also assigned a certain amount. Able-bodied citizens can rely, respectively, on the following indicators (in quotation marks indicate the period of "life" in years, pieces and pairs of components are taken into account):
- 3 (7,5);
- 8 (4);
- 9 (2,4);
- 7 (1,5)
- 5 (5);
- 6 (3,3);
- 3 (1);
- 14 (7);
- 19 (10,4);
- 10% of the cost of non-food items.
Services
This physiological cost of living for the able-bodied population does not end there. It remains to consider the compulsory services that each citizen should receive on average per year. All this is not so difficult to understand, but remembering the exact data is not easy! So, obligatory services include:
- housing (18 square meters);
- heating (6.7 Gcal);
- water (cold and hot - 285 liters per day);
- gas (10 cubic meters / month);
- electricity (per month 50 kilowatts);
- transport (620 trips per year);
- "cultural" services (5% of expenses);
- other (15% of the cost).
All of the above is a social cost of living for citizens. More precisely, it takes into account only what is necessary for an average able-bodied person in the country. But only on this issue is there one huge flaw. Which one? Now let's figure it out.
Does not work
The whole problem is that often the entire consumer basket does not take into account the cost of services. That is, it is calculated with an approximate calculation of the average price tags for the country. But in different regions, various prices prevail for goods, and for products, and for services.
Plus, if you think about and divide, for example, food products by 12, you get indicators that a citizen should “consume” per month. It is almost impossible to "fit" into the cost of living (monetary terms). After all, the cost of services and goods in the regions is constantly increasing. And wages, as already mentioned, are either reduced or remain unchanged.
This means that it is almost impossible to provide yourself with everything you need only at the expense of minimal cash. Only if you buy only food products on them. And then the diet will not be too enriched. Thus, for the population, the established minimum living conditions seem to be a complete mockery! Now it’s clear what is included in the cost of living. Most of the population does not agree with these indicators. It has already been said - living under these restrictions is extremely difficult!
The cost of living in Moscow will rise to almost 12 thousand rubles from January 1, 2018 for pensioners. The corresponding decision of the government of the capital was adopted at a meeting of the Moscow City Duma in the fall of this year. It is expected that the size of the pensioner's PM in Moscow will be 11’816 rubles.
Cost of living and benefits for pensioners in Moscow
In the second quarter of 2017, the cost of living in Moscow rose to 16’426 rubles. This was officially announced in September with reference to a government decree signed by Mayor Sergei Sobyanin. According to the document, compared with the first quarter of this year, PM in the capital grew by 6.1%, or by 949 rubles in cash.
Comparative table of the established living wage in Moscow:
According to the government, 42’370 people live in Moscow (data for August 2017), who are entitled to a social supplement up to the cost of living in the region. Along with the increase in PM, pensions will be increased. It is expected that next year the average size will be 14’329 rubles, and by 2020 - 15.5 thousand rubles.
- prescription medical devices and drugs; specialized medicinal foods for children with disabilities;
- vouchers for health and sanatorium institutions for the prevention of major diseases;
- the provision of free travel in the railroad commuter transport, compensation for travel to the place of treatment and back (on intercity transport).
These benefits are provided in the form of cash payments.
The increase in the minimum wage
A document was also prepared to increase the minimum wage. The author of the bill was the Ministry of Labor of the Russian Federation. It is expected that the minimum wage will be 9’489 rubles.
The adoption of the bill will partially reduce tensions with citizens working for low pay, experts say. At the same time, they express their fears, including the transition to "gray" employment and a possible increase in prices in the country.
Important! According to the Government of Russia, in 2016 there were about 12.1 million people in the country classified as “poorly working”. In percentage terms - 16.8% of the total number of able-bodied people.
The term “poorly working Russians” was used by Deputy Prime Minister Olga Golodets, saying that such a phenomenon was observed in the country. The official noted that in order to solve the problem, the authorities, together with business representatives, need to pay attention to those enterprises where wages are below the established subsistence level. She is supported by Maxim Sokolov, an assistant professor in the department of state and municipal administration of the Russian Economic University. G.V. Plekhanova: " The increase in the minimum wage from January 1, 2018 to 85% of the subsistence minimum, and from January 1, 2019 to 100%, is a serious step towards solving this problem».
The living wage level differs from the minimum wage in that the former is calculated for all categories of the population, and the minimum wage is only for able-bodied citizens. This approach eliminates the situation in which a family of several people lays down monthly maintenance costs for a child and non-working dependent pensioners. Some experts are of the opinion that this trend can be corrected by increasing wages in the public sector, specifically that category of workers whose wages are below the subsistence level.
The value of the subsistence minimum is the cost estimate of the consumer basket, characterizing the minimum set of goods and services necessary in order to preserve human health and ensure its vital functions. This indicator serves as a state guarantee that citizens of the Russian Federation will receive minimum cash income and other social protection measures. It can be defined per capita and for the main socio-demographic groups of the population - able-bodied, pensioners and children. Since it is the size of the living wage that determines the standard of living of the population, one way or another it can affect every citizen of the country. In the proposed article you will find answers to typical questions about this indicator - why is it needed, who installs it, in what time frame and what does it affect, and also where you can always find the current living wage and in which documents?
For the first time, a living wage for the whole of the Russian Federation was established on January 1, 1998. It was introduced as a cost equivalent, which was intended to justify the minimum "size" of wages - the so-called minimum wage. According to Article 2 of Federal Law No. 134-ФЗ of 10.24.1997 “On the Living Wage in the Russian Federation” using the living wage in Russia as a whole at the federal level:
- assesses the standard of living of the Russian population during the development and implementation of social federal programs;
- the minimum “size” of labor remuneration established at the federal level is justified;
- the sizes established at the federal level, scholarships and other social benefits are determined;
- the federal budget is being formed.
You should know that the cost of living is not at all some kind of abstraction. On the contrary, this is an important indicator, based on which citizens can be and get the right to benefits and.
When is a family or a single person considered poor?
In particular, the size of the living wage is important for people who may be recognized as poor. This is the most socially unprotected category of citizens, which can receive additional benefits from the state. A citizen or family is then considered if the income of each family member or a single person is less than the subsistence level established in this subject of the Russian Federation. Such a family has the right to receive state social assistance. The procedure for its provision is established by federal and regional laws and, above all, No. 178-FZ “On state social assistance”.
Living wage in 2017
In accordance with the Decree of the Government of Russia No. 730 dated 06/20/2017 “On establishing the size of the subsistence level per capita and for the main socio-demographic groups of the population as a whole for the Russian Federation for the 1st quarter of 2017”, this minimum of the Russian citizen in the first quarter amounted to 9909 rubles. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2016, the indicator increased by 208 rubles, which is explained by inflation.
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The amount of 9909 rubles is the average for the country and varies for individual population groups. So, for able-bodied citizens, the subsistence minimum is set at 10701 rubles, for pensioners - 8178, and for children - 9756 rubles.
Compared with the fourth quarter of 2016, for pensioners and the working-age population, the subsistence minimum increased by 2.2%, for children - by 3.4%. Moreover, inflation officially recognized by Rosstat in the first quarter of this year amounted to 1.2%. Food in January-March rose 1.7%, with prices for fruits and vegetables jumping the most. So, the price of onions increased by 13.3%, potatoes - by 11.4%, carrots - by 6.7%, cabbage - by 3.6%, beets - by 1.8 percent.
Prices for dairy products increased: butter, by 8.6%, cheeses, by 4.2%, dairy products, 3.1%, sour cream, 2.7%, and milk, 2.4%. Bread and bakery products made from wheat flour went up by 1.8%, rye and rye-wheat bread - by 0.7 percent.
At the same time, prices for some cereals decreased slightly: from 0.7% for semolina to 5.8% for millet. The cost of meat and fish products has not changed. With this in mind, food as a part of the cost of living per capita increased by 2.3%.
Are your incomes per month higher than the subsistence level (9909 rubles)?
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By whom and when is the cost of living set?
The size of the subsistence minimum per capita and for certain groups both in Russia as a whole and in the regions, is determined on the basis of the consumer basket and Goskomstat information on consumer prices for goods and services, as well as expenses on mandatory fees and payments. The national average indicators are determined by the decree of the Government of the Russian Federation in accordance with the federal law “On the cost of living in the Russian Federation”, and regional - by executive authorities of the regions of Russia. At all levels, this indicator is determined quarterly until the 30th of the month following the end of the quarter. This means January 30, April 30, July 30 and October 30.
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Where can I find out the current living wage?
In the whole country, data on the living wage are quarterly published in the publications of the Government of the Russian Federation and on its official website. In the regions of the Russian Federation, they are published by official publications of the executive bodies of the constituent entities.
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Also, this information will be provided to you in social security bodies - social security agencies, in the offices of the State Statistics Committee of the regions and in the office of the deputy head of the regional administration in charge of social issues. Having these data, each citizen will be able to determine what social assistance and in what amount he can receive from the state.
Is it possible to “live” on a living wage?
Modern life requires constant attention to material issues. It is impossible to imagine the full-fledged existence of each of us, without orientation to monetary benefits, without which it is already difficult to imagine the life of any person. And no matter how much we would like the world to become at least a little different, still every day we have to turn our attention to the material world. In our country, there is the concept of a minimum living wage, which defines many components of the social structure. Today we will find out what the cost of living will be in 2018 in Russia and how it will affect the life of ordinary citizens.
What is the cost of living in the Russian Federation?
The cost of living in Russia (hereinafter referred to as the PM) is a fixed minimum amount that every citizen of our country must receive in order to provide for his material and spiritual needs in a minimum amount. In fact, PM is cost of minimum consumer basket. This figure is determined by the Government of the Russian Federation, based on the economic situation in a certain period of time, on average it is calculated on a quarterly basis, for example, for the 2nd quarter of 2017, the cost of living amounted to 10 thousand 329 rubles. (per capita). In order for the size of the PM to change significantly, serious political and economic changes are required. Ideally, the cost of living should grow every year taking into account this inflation, but, unfortunately, this practice does not occur as often as expected.
It should be noted that in the last 20 years the values \u200b\u200bare minimal. the size of wages () and the cost of living did not match. Despite the fact that legislation prohibits paying citizens less than the cost of living requires, more than 20% of the population of our country actually live on less money than the law provides. It is customary to partially resolve this situation in 2018, and to completely equalize the minimum wage with the cost of living only in 2019.
Living wage in 2018 in Russia (forecast)
At the time of this writing, the value of the national PM has not yet been determined by the Government of the Russian Federation, respectively. with federal law N 134-ФЗ (dated 24.10.1997) on the basis of the consumer basket, but at the same time some regions of the Russian Federation have already set living wages for 2018, in particular for pensioners. So for example, PM for pensioners was installed in the following regions: Arkhangelsk region. - 10,258 rubles. (2.6% more than in the 2nd quarter of 2017), Samara region. - 8413 (5% more), Kirov region - 8474 (8.2%), the Republic of Dagestan - 8440 (9.8%), Stavropol Territory - 8135 (11.7%), etc. Thus, taking into account the tendency of the regions to increase the size of the PM for 2018, we can conclude that at the national level subsistence level 2018will also increase by an average of 2-10%. Based on these data, it can be assumed that the national average in 2018 per capita PM will be within from 10535 to 11361 rubles , for pensioners, this figure will be from 8676 to 9356 rubles (see whether they will raise in Russia).
Cost of living in the regions of the Russian Federation
PM across the country is far from the same, in some regions it is more, in others - less. Although the amount of PM is established by law by the federal government, each region has the right to adjust this amount in accordance with its own realities. Thus, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kamchatka and Magadan are considered to be the richest regions by the standards of the PM. The smallest PM in Russia at the moment in Udmurtia, Adygea, Pskov, Bryansk, etc. In addition, it is worth knowing that PM is divided into the following types: for children, for the able-bodied population, for pensioners, per capita. Recall that for the 2nd quarter of 2017, the national cost of living amounted to 10329 rubles. per capita, 11163 p. - for the able-bodied population, 8506 p. - for pensioners, 10160 p. - for children.