August 1, Minsk /Elena Prus - BELTA/. New minimum consumer budget (MCB) sizes for different socio-demographic groups, per capita and per family member of various compositions, at average June 2013 prices, have been established in Belarus. This was reported to BELTA correspondent by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.

The minimum consumer budget per family member of four people, from August 1 to October 31 of the current year, calculated per month, amounts to Br1,595,980. This is 4.5% higher than the standard that was in effect from May 1 to July 31 (Br1,527,270).

According to specialists, the main expenditure items of the MCB for a family of four at June prices are as follows: food products – 54.3%, clothing, linen, footwear – 22.1%, housing and utility services – 5.1%, household services, transport, communication – 5.3%, cultural and household items – 8.1%, sanitary and hygiene items, medicines – 2.2%, cultural and educational events and recreation – 1.6%, contributions and payments – 1.3%.

Average per capita minimum consumer budgets have also been established for a young family of three – Br1,686,790, the working-age population – Br2,037,500, pensioners – Br1,587,700, students – Br1,569,270, children under 3 years old – Br1,242,880, children aged 3 to 6 years – Br1,495,230, children aged 6 to 18 years – Br1,769,500.

The ministry explained that the Law of the Republic of Belarus "On the Formation and Use of the Minimum Consumer Budget" establishes the legal framework for the definition and use of the MCB. The minimum consumer budget represents the expenses for purchasing a set of consumer goods and services to meet the basic physiological and socio-cultural needs of a person.

Minimum consumer budgets are established quarterly by a resolution of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection at the prices of the last month of the quarter for six socio-demographic groups and two families of different compositions.

The MCB is used as a social standard for forecasting changes in the population's living standards, strengthening social support for citizens in need, and substantiating the minimum levels of state social guarantees.-0-