As Dmitry Kruk, a researcher at the Belarusian Economic Research and Education Center (BEROC), noted in an interview with RBC, in 2017 in Belarus there was indeed an increase in real wages, although not radical (according to Belstat, it amounted to 7.5% compared to previous year). “Real wages peaked in mid-2014, then they declined for three years until they resumed [growth] last year, from about the second quarter,” the expert said, noting that the dynamics of PPP wages has its own characteristics and can differ.
Situation in Russia
In 2015, the real accrued wage in Russia decreased by 9% compared to the previous year, HSE experts recall, citing Rosstat. In subsequent years, it grew at a slow pace: the increase was plus 0.8% in 2016 and plus 2.9% in 2017. The growth of nominal indicators in these years amounted to 5.1, 7.9 and 6.7%, respectively. At the same time, the devaluation of the ruble in 2014-2015 led to a reduction in wages in Russia in dollar terms, economists say.
The Ministry of Economic Development expects the growth rate of real wages to slow down from the planned 6.3% in 2018 to 0.8% in 2019. As follows from the forecast of the ministry (*.pdf), this is primarily due to the high base of 2018, since the salaries of social workers (they fell under the May 2012 decrees) were brought to the target level, and the minimum wage to the subsistence level. Other reasons may be the acceleration of inflation and a change in the timing of indexation of salaries of state employees (from October 1, 2019 instead of January 1, as this year). In 2020, salaries will grow by 1.5%, in 2021 - by 2.3%, and in the next three years - by 2.8% annually, the Ministry of Economic Development predicts.
Closest to Russia in terms of average monthly salary the countries are Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan: in 2017, wages there amounted to 76% of the Russian indicator ($1252 at PPP). In general, in all CIS countries, except for Belarus, comparable salaries are lower than in Russia. In Ukraine, which previously decided from the CIS, the average PPP salary is also consistently lower Russian indicators. In 2017, it amounted to $1074 (65% of the Russian one).
Eastern Europe and BRICS
Among states of Eastern Europe Russia is inferior in terms of wages according to PPP to such countries as Poland ($2343), Czech Republic ($2026), Croatia ($1950) and Hungary ($2107), follows from the monitoring. Bulgaria and Romania lag behind Russia in terms of wages, but in last years the difference in wages in Russia and these countries is rapidly declining, experts say.
As for the two BRICS partners considered in the monitoring, Russia is ahead of them in terms of wages. In China, at nominal exchange rate currencies, salaries exceed Russian ones, but when switching to PPP calculations, Russia saves more high rate, HSE experts say. So, in 2016 (comparable data for 2017 for China is not yet available), the average salary in China was $1,461, and in Russia — $1,561. But the gap is also closing: in 2011 it was more than $450, and in 2016 it was $100. In Brazil, the average salary last year reached only $1407 - its level of wages in Russia exceeds steadily.
The average salary in Belarus in 2019 is of interest not only to Belarusians themselves, but also to residents of Russia. The fact is that, according to the legislation on the Union State, citizens of both countries can work for each other without obtaining additional permits - and therefore a considerable number of Russians move to Belarus and work there. Let's see what they can count on by finding a job in this country.
The amount of salary depends largely on how efficiently the country's economy works. With regard to Belarus, this is quite true. During the times of the USSR, this republic, although it was largely agrarian, at the same time had a fairly powerful industrial base. Despite the events that have taken place over two and a half decades, by 2019 Belarus still retains a developed industry, especially mechanical engineering and metal processing.
However, it should be borne in mind that in Belarus the salary varies greatly, depending on:
The Belarusian state allocates additional funds for certain areas, but in general it should be noted that Belarusian economy going through hard times in 2019. There is a trend towards an increase in average wages - but at the same time, an increase in unemployment is also possible. Inflation also has a certain influence - according to it, Belarus is now in 14th place in the world ranking of states.
In addition, despite the agreements on the Union State, Russia and Belarus have not yet united their currencies. Therefore, although the currency of the neighboring country is also called the ruble, the local ruble is, on average, (as of the summer of 2019) 30-31 Russian. That is why in the future, when speaking about the size of the salary or salary of a Belarusian, it will always be indicated which rubles are in question. In some cases, for convenience, the amount will be indicated in US dollars, since the rate of this currency is known throughout the world.
According to Belarusian statistics, the highest average wage in the region was achieved in 2019 in the Soligorsk district of the Minsk region. There, the average salary is 1,208 Belarusian rubles. Even Minsk itself is a little behind - there are only 1,103 rubles.
On the contrary, Belarusians earn the least in the Sharkovshchina district of the Vitebsk region. It recorded an average salary of only 446 rubles. This disproportion is explained by the fact that Minsk and the Minsk region are the region where the majority of large industrial enterprises, and Soligorsk, in addition, is a center for the extraction of potash salt. Vitebsk region is predominantly agricultural.
In general, in the country, the average salary of a worker in Belarus in 2019 is about 795.20 Belarusian rubles, or about 23 thousand Russian rubles.
However, the demand does not mean that in each of these areas the salaries are maximum. Salaries for managers financial sphere and programmers are indeed high (1,481 and 2,460 Belarusian rubles, respectively), but teachers can count on only 538 rubles, and in healthcare - only 615 rubles.
For comparison, here are the average salaries in some other areas of activity:
As in Russia, in Belarus there is a minimum amount of the amount that the employer is obliged to pay to his employee. As of June 2019, it is 265 local rubles. The value was set in January and has not changed since then.
However, in addition to the local analogue of the minimum wage, there is also such a value as living wage. This value is set by the government and shows how much money is needed, in fact, to guarantee the survival of a citizen. As of June 2019, the budget for this minimum in Belarus is 183.82 local rubles.
In conclusion, we should mention what pensioners in this country can expect. Belarus has:
The retirement age of our neighbors is:
For some citizens engaged in a profession with special conditions, the age can be reduced. This applies to the military, employed in aviation, teachers, athletes, etc.
The amount of the pension depends on how much the citizen paid in Pension Fund. Minimum size at present, it is approximately equal to 5,500 Russian rubles.
Recently, the authorities of Belarus have set themselves the task of bringing the average size payments up to $500 per person per month.
The execution of this program is scheduled for December 2019. Since the plans were officially announced, the country's leadership will try:
However, as of July 2019, the plans are still far from being fulfilled. In particular, the media note that for the remaining 7 months, an increase of at least $74 is required.
Important! However, over the past 10 years, the overall average wage has consistently shown an upward trend. From May 2007 to May 2019, it grew by almost 13 times.
Thus, for a simple worker, Belarus is a rather attractive place where you can provide yourself at a decent level due to your work. There are certain problems in the economy, but they are not serious enough to seriously interfere with decent earnings.
The first thing that catches your eye when crossing the Belarusian border is the almost perfect cleanliness and order, which, unfortunately, Russian and Ukrainian cities cannot boast of. It's just not customary to litter on the streets here. Litter bins are everywhere, so people throw garbage only in them. Life in the Republic is in many ways reminiscent of the former Soviet Union. And despite the fact that the average salary of civil servants in Belarus is relatively low, there is practically no corruption. It is not difficult to make sure of this, since for Russians entry into the country is visa-free and a passport is not required. It is enough to violate the traffic rules and try to "negotiate" with the inspector, it is unlikely to succeed here. It is customary in the state to strictly adhere to the norms and rules established by law.
According to a sociological survey conducted at the beginning of 2016, only 15.7% local population satisfied with their standard of living. Among the positive factors, the majority of Belarusians noted material stability and opportunities for self-realization, but the social sphere received the worst ratings. According to data for 2019, a third of all residents of the state can be attributed to the middle class.
Today, the situation in the country is not changing for the better, due to the economic crisis, due to which the country has significantly weakened local currency. Therefore, according to experts, the standard of living in Belarus will gradually decline. And this, in turn, will lead to a decrease in the middle class.
The features of life in the Republic include: free, high-quality medical care, in the absence of corruption (in the truest sense of the word). In fact, employees of medical institutions take gifts from their patients, only not directly, but through trusted persons (who still need to be found).
Belarus GDP statistics, billion US dollars
It is also worth noting that the government is trying in every possible way to introduce paid services and the medical field is no exception. It even has its own plan. Therefore, doctors are forced to impose them on their patients, and this primarily applies to foreign citizens.
The range of local pharmacies is not very diverse. Basically, they sell pharmacological preparations of their own production.
According to official data, there is no unemployment in the country, but in reality its level reaches 15%. Many citizens regularly leave to work: to Russia, Poland, Germany, the Baltic states. This is explained by the fact that the average salary in Belarus is much less than in these countries.
As for the cultural level of the local population, it remained at the level of the 80s, when there was still the Soviet Union.
Citizens of the Russian Federation willingly visit this power. This is due to such factors:
Particularly comfortable here are citizens who move here for permanent residence from the countries of the former CIS, who have a stable passive income in rubles, euros or dollars.
Comparing the level of prices for living in the republic, it should be noted that if they do not differ much for most products, then for housing the difference is significant. The monthly rent of a one-room apartment in Minsk is 250-300 US dollars, and the city of regional significance is an order of magnitude less, somewhere around 130-200.
Statistics of the average salary in Belarus, Belarusian rubles per month
But the prices for household appliances and electronics in the country are much higher. Travel to public transport relatively inexpensive:
But to buy an apartment in Minsk you have to fork out. Consider how much housing in Belarus costs in the capital and regional centers. A one-room apartment in the secondary market will cost about 60 thousand dollars, and for a kopeck piece 100 thousand. New housing costs an order of magnitude more expensive. In other large regional centers (Mogilev, Grodno, Brest and others) prices are lower - 40 - 50 thousand dollars for a two-room apartment and 30 thousand in Vitebsk, which is considered the most inexpensive in this regard.
More an important factor is the safety of life. There are no gang shooters and showdowns, robbery or rape is extremely rare. In almost all cities, the streets are well lit at night.
Comparing the pros and cons of living in the state, it is necessary to note the high quality of local products. This is due to the fact that there is a very strict control over the quality of their production.
Many residents of cities have recently been trying to move to the countryside, this trend is explained by the presidential program for the revival of the village. As part of the latter, a lot of high-quality brick houses are being built, which the collective farmers receive for free, and after 10 years of living in them and working on the collective farm, they become full owners. In addition, there is plenty of work on collective farms, and his payment is quite acceptable according to Belarusian rates.
For example, a tractor driver or a milkmaid, on average, receive in their hands an amount equal to 200-300 dollars in terms of American money. But the prices of goods in Belarus in 2019 increased markedly. But in the countryside, this difference is not so noticeable, especially when it comes to food. The salary of a teacher in the village is 1.5 times higher than in the city. Such advantages have already been appreciated by many settlers. The village is most suitable for emigration to this country.
Due to some political secrecy, there are many rumors about life in the Republic that actually do not correspond to real facts or distort them.
The first myth is free healthcare. Refutation - gratitude to doctors in the form of gifts and offerings is required. The purchase of medicines, systems, syringes, dressings is carried out at the expense of the patient himself. This is due to low wages. For example, a young specialist with a medical degree can expect a salary of 100 american dollars. The qualifications of medical workers are approximately at the same level as in the Russian Federation.
The second myth is quality and free education. In reality, schools everywhere practice the collection of additional Money. Per educational materials, school lunches, repairs, you have to pay for everything.
The third myth is the absence of corruption in the Belarusian police. In fact, it also exists, but of course not on the same level and scale as in other states of the post-Soviet space. This mainly concerns inspectors of the road patrol service, district police officers, as it is mostly of a more everyday nature. Explained by a wide range of penalties. Reading the reviews of Russians about their stay in the state, many of them note that driving at a traffic light prohibition sign will cost the driver at least $ 20, a fine in the range of $ 15 - $ 100 is provided for speeding, and at least $ 30 will have to be paid for parking in the wrong place.
There are a lot of police in cities and towns, so it’s quite easy to run into penalties. Moreover, there are a lot of points for which you can get them here.
Summing up all of the above, we can conclude that the average salary in Belarus allows local residents to live quietly, without frills in the state. But for foreigners, in particular Russians, who have a permanent income in rubles, dollars or euros, life in the Republic will be very comfortable and safe.
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01:07 28.02.2017
Average monthly accrued wages in Belarusin 2016 amounted to $ 364 in equivalent (as the average value of $-equivalents of monthly salaries at the rate of the last in the month). This is the 4th place in the CIS: in Russia, Kazakhstan and Armenia, the average salary in dollars in 2016 was higher.
In 2015, Belarus was also 4th, but it was not Armenia, as in 2016, that ranked higher, but Azerbaijan. But in 2014 and earlier, Belarus had the 3rd place after Russia and Kazakhstan. The 1st place in the “average annual salary rating” was almost always occupied by Russia, and only in calendar 2015 it was the second, and the first was Kazakhstan.
The size of the average annual monthly salary in dollar terms in the CIS countries in 2013-16 is shown in the diagram.
The growth of the average annual monthly salary in 2016 compared to 2015 was noted in Ukraine (+11.5%), Moldova (+4.6%), Kyrgyzstan (+2.7%), Armenia (+1.2 %) and Russia (+0.5%). Decrease - in Kazakhstan (-30.2%), Azerbaijan (-29.6%), Belarus (-13.0%) and Tajikistan (-11.0%).
Historically record average monthly salary in $ equivalent: $413 in Armenia, $592 in Belarus, $716 in Kazakhstan, $236 in Kyrgyzstan, $298 in Moldova, $942 in Russia, $173 in Tajikistan, $402 in Ukraine. All highs were recorded in 2013-14, after which they began to decline (and in some places rapidly) due to the fall of national currencies against the dollar.
The most rapid drop in wages in dollars since 2013 was in Ukraine and Russia, since 2014 - in Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Belarus. This is clearly seen on the graphics in Lg-format. In Moldova and Kyrgyzstan, the relative decline is not so significant, and in Armenia it is hardly noticeable at all.
The largest drop in the $-equivalent of the average salary in absolute terms since 2013, the last “quiet” year in the region, with then still high oil prices, was in Russia: it decreased by almost $400.
But the relative, in percentage terms, the strongest decline in the $-equivalent is in Ukraine, more than half: against the backdrop of well-known events that caused a massive withdrawal of the currency from banking system and "flight to the dollar", the physical contraction of the economy and foreign trade, there was a strong weakening national currency, which significantly reduced the $-equivalent of salaries.
In the oil and gas-producing Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Russia, the relative drop in the $-equivalent of wages is also significant - more than 40%. This is the result of the global drop in oil prices in 2014-16.
Kyrgyzstan, Moldova and Tajikistan were less affected by the crisis, and in Armenia the average monthly salary in 2016 is even higher than in 2013.
The average annual salary is now less, in dollars, than in 2007, only in Ukraine and Kazakhstan. And the largest growth by 2007 is in Tajikistan, which is explained by a very low comparative base: 9 years ago they were scanty there.
The most rapid drop in the $-equivalent of the average annual salary is now in Azerbaijan, which was most affected by the fall in oil prices, which caused the devaluation of the previously most stable currency in the region - the manat.
The record annual average in dollar terms for a calendar year was in 2013 and 2014. In 2016, it fell almost to the level of 2009.
The long-term comparative dynamics of the average annual monthly salary of the calendar year of Belarus, Russia and Ukraine is shown in the diagram.
Historically, the maximum monthly salary in Belarus was recorded in July 2014 - $626 at the exchange rate at the last BCSE auction of that month. But after 1.5 years, the $-equivalent fell to $308 (February 2016, the "bottom" of the current crisis) - below the "bottom" of 2009 ($317 in February of that year), the lowest value since mid-2007, not counting the period of the Belarusian monetary and financial crisis of 2011 (then there were several months with an average salary of less than $300 in equivalent).
In 2016, starting from March, wages in Belarus began to noticeably increase in dollars, due, among other things, to the strengthening of the Br-ruble, and in December they reached $409, a 1.5-year high. The last value, January 2017, of the $-equivalent of wages is $372 (at the rate of the last BVSE trading in January), $37 less: the January fall is a traditional seasonal factor.
December is traditionally the most "salary" month of the year: in many countries, the average salary has risen sharply this month. Especially strong in Russia, where growth in dollars was further enhanced by the revaluation of the Rr-ruble. As a result, the $-equivalent reached a 1.5-year level, up $220 and 39.8% since November. A large percentage increase in the $-equivalent of the average salary in December relative to November was also noted in Kyrgyzstan and Armenia.
Over the past 3 years, December wages have decreased in dollars in all CIS countries, but the largest absolute drop (December 2016 to December 2013) was in Russia (by $438) and Kazakhstan (by $435). In Azerbaijan - for $287, in Belarus - for $206, in Ukraine - also for $206. In Armenia and Tajikistan, the absolute drop in the $-equivalent of the December salary amounted to $43 each, in Moldova - $27, in Kyrgyzstan - $25.
Relative, in percent, the largest drop in the $-equivalent of the December salary for 3 crisis years (December 2016 to December 2013) - in Kazakhstan (-49%), Azerbaijan (-48%) and Ukraine (-47%). In Russia - by 36%, in Belarus - by 33%, in Tajikistan - by 22%. The smallest percentage drop is in Armenia (-9%), Moldova and Kyrgyzstan (-8% each).
In 2017, Belarus will "fight" for 3rd place in the CIS with Armenia, and most likely, 3rd place for Belarus will be in a few months. This will be facilitated by the stability of the Br-ruble and the need to achieve a $500 salary by the end of the year.
Text: Maxim SEREDA, photo: Vladimir STATKEVICH
Ruble devaluation and general economic crisis in the Russian Federation led to the fact that the salary in Belarus and Russia in dollar terms in many industries has now become almost the same. This is shown by the calculations of the Higher School of Economics and the Institute of Social Policy. The study used both an estimate of nominal wages and accounting for
If in 2011 the Russian Federation overtook the CIS countries by 40%, now this gap with Belarus does not exist at all. And this is due to the fall of the Russians. In January 2016, the average salary in Belarus in rubles was 21.98 thousand. Just this month, the denomination of the national currency took place for the third time in the history of independence.
Until 1991, the country was part of the USSR. In January, the salary in Belarus was 266 rubles, in December - 1109. You need to understand that in 1994, 2000 and 2016. the denomination of the national currency was carried out by 10, 1000 and 10,000 times, respectively. The exchange rate (ruble) on 10/20/16 to the Russian is 1 to 32.84.
From the very beginning, inflation was at a fairly high pace. In December 1994, it reached 248,922 thousand rubles. The denomination, held in August 1994, helped only partly. continued to grow.
Already in September 1994, salaries began to be calculated again in six-figure numbers. In June 1995, the pre-reform level was reached. In December 1999, the average salary in Belarus was 34,871,899 rubles. And this is on the course to Russian currency e 1 to 0.000077. That is, in rubles it is 2865, that is, two times less than in 1994.
After the denomination, the average salary in January 2000 was 36,659 rubles. The exchange rate against the Russian currency was 1 to 301.7. Six-figure salaries in Belarus began to be calculated due to inflation already in March 2001. However, the rate of currency depreciation has slowed down significantly. After the next denomination in January 2016, the average salary in Belarus was 655.22 rubles. In rubles - 21517.42. In August 2016, the average salary was 750.3 rubles.
After gaining independence and introducing its own national currency, the country experienced huge inflation rates. To date, three denominations have already been held in Belarus:
The last denomination allowed the currency to significantly strengthen. And the crisis in the Russian economy allows us to talk about the excess of Belarusian wages in dollar terms over Russian ones in the near future. And this is the forecast of the Higher School of Economics. Interestingly, back in 2011, Belarus lagged behind Russia by as much as 40% in this indicator.
In 2015, according to the National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus, real wages grew only in the capital by 1.1%. In all other regions, it decreased by an average of 3%. The average salary in the country in 2015 was 6.7 million Belarusian rubles. The exchange rate against the Russian currency during this period was 1 to 38.78. The regional breakdown of salaries looked like this:
The largest salaries in Belarus in rubles were paid to financiers. They received almost 300 thousand in Russian currency. If we place the spheres economic activity in descending order of salaries in Belarus, you get the following list:
If we consider the situation in 2015 in the city of Minsk, then here the average salary in rubles was 344 million. The highest paid were employees of the financial sector. If we consider the salary in each of the sectors in the capital, then the five most expensive professions are as follows:
According to 2013 data, the most big salary in Belarus was offered for the following positions:
The lowest wage in the state is fixed by law. It is established every year. Moreover, it can be indexed in accordance with economic realities. In 2015, the minimum wage in Belarus was 2,100,100 Belarusian rubles. This amount was indexed three times. Taking into account bringing the minimum wage in line with economic realities in January, it was already 2.391.769 Belarusian rubles. rubles. The exchange rate against the Russian ruble as of October 21, 2016 is 1 to 32.84. However, after the denomination from June 1, the minimum wage was set at 239 bel. rubles 18 kopecks. In September, this amount was indexed. Now the minimum wage in Belarus is 239.48 Belarusian rubles. rubles or 7864.52 Russian rubles.
