Putin expects 3–5% real salary growth in 2023

TULA, Apr 4 (PRIME) -- Russians’ real salaries started to grow slightly in 2022, and will increase by 3–5% in 2023, President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday.

"Salaries started to increase in the country in general over the last few months, the end of the year, a little, unnoticeable for some, maybe. By some 0.3%, 0.4–0.6%... The real disposable income grew a little more, by about 0.9%. But this year, we expect further changes for the better," Putin said.

He added that real salaries will rise by 3–5% and the real disposable income by 2–3% in 2023.

Putin acknowledged a rise of consumer prices on the back of too small a growth of income of the households, but said that the wellbeing of the people is a priority for authorities.

The president confirmed there will be no changes in payments for public utilities in the next 18 months. "No serious changes must occur there (in public utilities payments) over the next year and a half," Putin said.

He also said that Russia will pursue a 100% local manufacturing of components in critical industries. "Even if we produce 90% of some equipment locally… a car will not run if we lack 10%," he said.

At the same time, he said that the current car industry support measures are sufficient to raise production by several times soon.

According to Putin, Russia boosted the exports of agricultural goods several times, while reducing imports.

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