A typical family of four had to spend 327,047 pesos in December in Bariloche to avoid falling into the level of indigence (only to cover food), registering an increase of 44.67% compared to November.
The report on the inflation index of the food basket with a monitoring of product prices in supermarkets in Bariloche was carried out by the Center for Economic and Social Studies “Scalabrini Ortiz” (CESO), together with the Environment Development and Sustainable Habitat Foundation and the Teachers’ Association of the National University of Río Negro.
According to the study, The cost of living for an adult male was 99,105 pesos for December; while that amount for an adult woman reached 76,311 pesos.
The accumulated of all of 2023 shows a 113% increase in the basic food basket in Bariloche as of December.
Another striking fact is that to cover the basic food basket you need 2.10 minimum, vital and mobile wage (which as of December is 156,000 pesos). “This shows a strong loss in the purchasing power of wages,” the report indicates.
In relation to the Universal Child Allowance (AUH), it is currently in 26,860 pesos in Río Negro, with which to cover the basic food basket 12.17 are needed. «To cover the food requirements of a minor daughter, an average of 2.35 AUH was needed in December; while for a minor child this ratio was 2.64,” she points out.
On the other hand, a “minimum” retiree earns 105,713 pesos. For For a male retiree, the food basket occupies 74% of his retirement income; In the case of a retired woman, it occupies 61%. “If the 55,000 peso bonus approved by the government is added as compensation that would bring the minimum to 160,716 pesos, the proportion between the food basket and the minimum would be reduced to 48% and 40%, respectively,” he states.
The report shows that the items that increased the most within foods are snacks (135.73%), flour (67.18%), condiments (56.06%), sugar (54.49%) and oils ( 52.17%). On the other hand, the cleaning elements (60.62%), bookstore (59.94%) and fabric softeners (46.91%) stand out.