Last Year Raises Russian Public Incomes By Third

Russian per capita public incomes increased by 33.1% in the first quarter of the year, as against January into March 2002, reports the federal State Statistical Committee.

The average monthly income for March 2003 was 4,727 roubles. The present rate of the Central Bank of Russia is US$1/R31.20.

Implicit average wages and salaries were at R5,125 last month, say preliminary statistics - 27.9% above March 2002.

Gas, petroleum-drilling and fuel industries accounted for the highest average wages - 37,879, 16,863 and 15,000 roubles, respectively. The lowest wages and salaries are in education, 2,969 roubles; culture and the arts, 3,073 roubles, and health, physical culture and social welfare, 3,146 roubles.

Total wage arrears in economic branches covered by regular statistical reports amounted to 34,131 million roubles, as of April 1 - 1.6% less than on March 1, and 0.7% below the figure for April 1, 2002. Wage arrears due to inadequate allocations from budgets of all levels accounted for 4,193 million roubles of that, and to insufficient corporate assets for 29,638 million.