State Statistics Committee posts data on subsistence level in Q1, 2003

In the first quarter of 2003, the subsistence level in Russia amounted to RUR2,047 (about $66.4) per capita a month, the Russian State Statistics Committee reported. This was 8 percent higher than in the 4th quarter of 2002. The consumer goods basket amounted to RUR1,934 (nearly $62.7) in the first three months of 2003. The food component of the basket accounted for RUR945 ($30.7) and nonfoods equaled RUR443 ($14.4). Obligatory expenses for payments and taxes amounted to RUR113 ($3.7).