In the next year, Azerbaijan will increase the basic minimum social standards, according to the state budget package for 2014, submitted to Milli Majlis (parliament) of Azerbaijan.

Under the draft law on the living costs for next year, this figure will increase throughout the country from 116 manats this year to 125 manat, including for the working-age population - up to 136 manats (125 manats in 2013), for children and pensioners - to 103 manats (93 manats and 94 manats respectively).

The draft law 'On the level of need criteria for 2014' provides increasing of this criterion for targeted social assistance (TSA) to 100 manats from 93 manats this year.

In 2014, the social expenditures of the state budget are projected at 5.337 billion manats, increasing by 5.9 per cent or 298.9 million manats compared to the forecasted figures of the current year, and to 597.1 million manats or 12.6 per cent compared with the actual performance in 2012.

The state budget also incorporated financial security in relation to the increase in salaries and benefits, which were announced in 2013.

Some 15.1 per cent of social expenditures or 3.034 billion manats will account for wages, 9.1 per cent or 1.82 billion manats - pensions and social benefits, 1.5 per cent or 305.3 million manats - for the purchase of food products, 0.9 per cent or 176.9 million manats - to the purchase of medicines and bandages.