NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh population’s income from targeted social and housing assistance (TSA) increased by one-third in 2018, contributing to last year’s 11.3-percent growth. Income per capita was 164,700 tenge (US$434.48) and the government expanded the percentage of individuals who receive the assistance.
Photo credit: egov.kz.
The major income, 121,400 tenge (US$320.25) or an 8.4-percent annual increase, comes from salary. The average monthly nominal wage per employee increased 7.5 percent during the 12 months.
The government plans to spend 224.3 billion tenge (US591.7 million) in 2019 to increase social support, said Vice Minister of Finance Tatyana Saveliyeva during her March 13 presentation to the Majilis (lower house of Parliament).
The government changed the tools for assigning TSA. When allocating the funds, state benefits for mothers or families with many children who are awarded Kumіs Alqa and Altyn Alqa pendants, disability allowances for children and scholarships will be excluded from the family’s total income.
Every month, the government will pay 70 percent or the equivalent of 20,800 tenge (US$54.87) of the subsistence minimum (29,698 tenge (US$78.34)) for each child from a low-income family.
Beginning July 1, the benefits to parents, guardians raising a child with a disability and for the care of a person with a group I disability since childhood will increase from 31,200 tenge (US$82.30) to 41,600 tenge (US$109.74).
Population expenditures also grew 163,200 tenge (US$430.52) per month, a 12.1-percent increase. The hike was influenced by the 13.2-percent increase in taxes and payments and 16-percent increase in costs to repay loans and debts. Per capita income exceeded expenditures by just 1,500 tenge (US$3.96); in 2017, the difference was 2,400 tenge (US$6.34).
