Source: Montsame                       Date: 17 March, 2011

The National Statistics Office has released social and economic indices. The figures relate to February alone or for the first two months of the year together, and the comparison is also with the corresponding period in 2010, unless otherwise noted.

Consumer price index

The national consumer price index in February rose by 0.5 percent over January, 3.5 percent over the end of December, and 11.0 percent over February, 2010.

Unemployment

The number of economically active people, that is those fit and above 15 years old, was 1,129,800 in the 4th quarter of 2010. Of them, 53.1 per cent were men. The number of those unemployed was 106,100, of whom 59,200 were male. The rate of unemployment was 9.4 percent nationally. The number of registered unemployed was 7.1 percent more than in 2010.

Household income, expenses

The average monthly monetary income of a household in the 4th quarter of 2010 was MNT71, 500 or 20.5 percent more than in the corresponding period last year. Expenses were

MNT76, 300 thousand or 20.7 percent more.

Budget, tax receipts

The General Government Budget balance showed an overall surplus of MNT18.5 billion in the first 2 months of 2011. The surplus in the current account was MNT31.9 billion. Tax revenue rose by 54.2 percent over the same period last year, with income tax receipts rising 22.8 times, social security contribution 39.4 percent, excise duties collection 39.8 percent, VAT receipts 2.2 times, and revenue from other taxes 81.4 percent. Non-tax revenue increased by 10.2 percent.

Social insurance

Of the total 329,300 people registered under Social Insurance, 61.6 percent were from Government organizations, with the other 38.4 percent belonging to the private sector. Of the total pension paid, 73.5 percent went to retired people, 12.6 percent to the disabled, 7.1 percent to families without a breadwinner, and 6.8 percent to former military personnel. Social welfare pensions and benefits were paid to 51,300 people, 7.9 percent fewer than in 2010, and the total amount paid rose 21.1 percent.

Foreign trade

Total turnover of trade with 96 countries in the first two months of 2011 reached USD1031.5 million, a rise of 69.8 percent over the corresponding period last year. This year’s trade deficit of USD199.8 million is in contrast to the USD15.9 million surplus in 2010. Imports were up 2.1 times, while exports rose 33.4 percent.

Industrial output

Industrial output in the first two months rose 0.3 percent over the same period in 2010.

Freight, passengers

The volume of freight carried by the railway in the first two months rose 4.4 percent over the same period in 2010 and the number of passengers rose 2.3 percent. The corresponding increases in air transport were 4.5 percent and 51.9 percent respectively.