YEREVAN. – According to official statistics, the 2013 the inflation rate in Armenia was 5.8 percent thus exceeding, by 0.3 percentage points, the maximum limit envisioned by the state budget.

But this is not the problem.

The envisioned inflation rate (5.5%) in Armenia does not meet European standards. The prices of goods are virtually the same, and the price increase is noticeable.

In 2013, the average-wage growth rate in Armenia was less than the consumer price index; that is to say, living solely on salaries has become more difficult in the country.

But there is also a social inflation; this refers to those essential goods and services on which the needy primarily spend money. In addition to food, they include utilities, public transport, health care, etc.      

From 2009 to 2013, the inflation in Armenia stood at 26.9 percent, and this was 32.6 percent for food.