Food and beverage take up 41.5 percent of family budget

BELGRADE - In the fourth quarter of 2013, the average available monthly budget per household in Serbia amounted to RSD 58,368,while the individual consumption expenditures amounted to RSD 55,881,of which the expenditures for food and non-alcoholic beverages make the largest share, 41.5 percent, the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia said on Friday.

Expenditures related to housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels accounted for 17.1 percent of the household budget.

Expenditures for transport amounted to 7.5 percent, for alcoholic beverages and tobacco 4.9 percent, for clothing and footwear 4.8 percent, for miscellaneous goods and services 4.6 percent and for recreation and culture 4.4 percent.

Of the total available budget, the money receipts make 96.0 percent and the receipts in kind make 4.0 percent.

The largest share of available budget refers to the salaries and wages of the employed – 43.1 percent, pensions – 33.3 percent, income from agriculture, hunting and fishing – 5.1 percent and natural consumption – 4.0 percent.

The data was obtained through Household Budget Survey. The survey applies the method of diary keeping regarding individual consumption of goods and services and the interview method on the basis of questionnaires, where the reference period for durables is twelve months, for semi-durables, agriculture, hunting and fishing – three months and for earnings – a month.

Of the total number of households envisaged for interview in the fourth quarter 2013, (1200 for the Republic of Serbia), the number of 1129 households (94%) were interviewed.

Photo Tanjug/J. Pap