Republic of Moldova

A research paper on „Impact of Prices on the Welfare of the Population through the Lens of Statistical Indicators” has been launched

Chişinău, 27 January 2010 – “During 2007-2008, the food products prices increased by 28,3%. This increase happened due to the considerable growth of the prices for basic food products, which represents a significant share of consumer expenditures of the poorest layers of population. Also, a significant increase in prices of medicines (by 33,5%), fuel (by 34,7%), utilities (by 49,9%) and passenger transport (by 29,8%) has been observed. At the beginning of 2009 a slowdown in the raising of consumer prices took place. The deflationary situation in 2009 is less a result of the anti-inflation policy, and more a consequence/result of the deepening economic crisis and declining domestic consumption demand”, is mentioned in the report on „Impact of Prices on the Welfare of the Population through the Lens of Statistical Indicators” that has been presented today in Chişinău.

The research paper includes the analysis of the impact of consumer prices evolution on the consumption of different groups of population, including socially vulnerable groups, by using official statistics and has been developed, at the request of the Ministry of Economy, by the Centre for Strategic Studies and Reforms with the support of the United Nations Development Programme within the framework of the Joint UNDP, UNIFEM, UNFPA and UNICEF Project on Strengthening the National Statistical System. According to the authors, the purpose of this analysis is to determine the relationship between the price indexes for different goods and changes in the volume and structure of the consumption of people with different incomes and to formulate proposals on improvement of prices statistics and public policies which affect the level of consumer prices and tariffs, as well as the welfare of the population.

In the pre-crisis period (before 2008) the disposable incomes of the population were growing faster than prices of consumer products and services, which triggered the increase of the nominal and real values of the consumption volume. So, in 2008, along with the prices increased by 12,7%, the monthly disposable incomes of the population increased by 16,7%. One of the report’s recommendations regards the prices regulation. ”Taking into consideration the high poverty rate in the country, such a regulation of consumer prices represents a necessary and important instrument/tool of economic and social policy”, was stated by the authors.

„We have supported the development of this research hoping that the analytical interpretation of statistical data would facilitate their accessibility and understanding by data users, both representatives of government institutions, as well as actors of civil society in Moldova. In accordance with its objectives, by this action the Project supports its national partner, the National Bureau of Statistics, as it regards the dissemination of statistical data, but also provides the line ministries with analytical papers to be afterwards used by them within the policy making process. Thus, we contribute to the strengthening of the national capacities to properly use the available official statistics. We hope that putting into practice of such studies’ recommendations will lead to the improvement of the prices and tariffs’ regulatory policies and mechanisms, which will offer the possibility to undertake more justified, selective and efficient actions or measures of protection of different population groups against the negative effects of the consumer prices and tariffs evolution", says Aurelia Spataru, manager of the Joint Project.

According to her, in the first half of 2010 another three research papers have to be completed on topics related to the labour force analysis in rural area through gender lens, impact of foreign direct investments on economy and analysis of the population’s health status through statistical indicators. „Thus, we are also building the capacities of the independent analytical groups to produce qualitative analysis, on the basis of the official statistics, for the benefit of the Government, thereby ensuring the participation of civil society in the policy-making process”, said Aurelia Spătaru.

The study "Impact of Prices on the Welfare of the Population through the Lens of Statistical Indicators" (Rom) (Rus) (Eng)

For contact: Aurelia Spataru, Project Manager "Strengthening the National Statistical System", tel. (+373 22) 40.31.42, E-mail: aurelia.spataru@undp.org   

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