Minimum consumer basket up 2% in Q2

The Minimum Consumer Basket (MCB) in the second quarter of 2008 grew 2%, compared with Q1, and was 1,341.9 lei per person, Info-Prim Neo has learnt from the National Statistics Bureau. The hike was triggered both by higher food prices, and utilities. In cities, the MCB was 1,437.7 lei compared with 1,274.6 lei in villages, the gauge being 163.1 lei (12.8%), because of the different structure of expenditures and the higher ratio of self-made consumption in the rural areas. Thus, in urban areas, the non-food expenditures represent some 34.0% of the MCB, while in rural areas – 21.3% (the country average is 28.4%). Comparing categories of citizens, the maximum MCB was recorded for men able to work – 1,508.5 lei. At the same time, keeping a child takes some 1,228.6 lei a month, depending also on his/her age. The MCB for retirees represents 85.7% of the average -- 1,149.9 lei. Considering the Household Budgets, the monthly income per one person was 1,215.2 lei in Q2, up 20.9% year on year. The population's income in Q2 covered only 90.6% of the MCB. The average retiree pension on July 1 was 643.7 lei, covering only 56% of the MCB. The average monthly salary of an employee in Q2 was 2,583 lei.