DUSHANBE, June 1, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- In Tajikistan, an average monthly wage rose 12 percent in a month to March 31, 2011, reaching some 472 somoni (equivalent to nearly US$103), according to the Agency for Statistics under the President of Tajikistan.

The real wage rate (the wage rate adjusted for inflation) reportedly rose 13.4 percent in a year to March 31, 2011.

In the meantime, an average wage in March stood at US$595 for Kazakhstan, US$326 for Uzbekistan, US$200 for Turkmenistan, and some US$158 for Kyrgyzstan.  In Belarus, and average wage for March stood at US$318, Russia – US$513, and Azerbaijan – US$440.         

The minimum wage (per month) in Tajikistan remains the lowest within the CIS area – only 80 somoni (equivalent to US$18.00).

In Tajikistan, the highest average monthly wage is reported in the financial sector – 2,195 somoni.

According to the National Bank of Tajikistan (NBT), inflation in Tajikistan for a year from March 2010 to March 2011 stood at little more than 12 percent.