“Besparmak Index” estimated at 39 points this March

Almaty. March 17. Silkroadnews – “Besparmak Index” that is calculated by KazTAG information agency, is estimated at 39 points this March.

“In other words, Kazakhstani’s could cook 39 Besparmak meals this month, with the current average income and retail prices in mind”. This conclusion is based on the National Statistics Agency income level data.

The Index is calculated by dividing average monthly income on the prices for ingredients that go into Besparmak meal. These are mutton (1kg), horse meat (1 kg), 2 eggs, flour (0.5 kg), onions (0.2 kg) and potatoes (0.2 kg).

Besparmak Index varies between regions greatly this March – between 23 and 68 points – with Astana estimate dropping at 61 points.

Besparmak Index was inspired by the so called Big Mac Index that was invented by The Economist in 1986. Whereas Big Mac Index compares the price of a burger across countries in order to see which currencies are over- and undervalued, Besparmak Index is a purely PPP (Purchasing Power Parity) tool.